In a surprising turn of events, campus reporters who are members of the press unit of the daily part-time wing of Osun State Polytechnic, Ire, were denied access to the venue of the matriculation ceremony by Bayo Fadeji, the institution’s director of Media, Publicity, and Protocol, along with security agents. This development has raised concerns among students and has sparked a debate on the role of campus journalists and the freedom of the press.
According to the campus correspondent of Edugist, who reported the incident, campus reporters who are also members of the Namacos editorial board, currently studying mass communication and practising beat reporting, were restricted from entering the hall where the matriculation ceremony was taking place.
Expressing their frustration, the correspondent said, “We have been denied access into the hall where the matriculation is taking place, and Bayo Fadeji, who should understand the role of campus reporters and beat reporting better, is also among those always speaking against campus journalists as if what we are doing is wrong.”
This incident has left many students perplexed, as they question the purpose of being taught mass communication and reporting techniques if they are not allowed to practice their skills. One student voiced their concerns, saying, “Why do we always have issues with practicing what we are being taught in the class, and if you don’t want us to practice, why are we now being taught?” Another student expressed surprise, stating, “I am shocked that the Director of Media and Publicity, Bayo Fadeji, is also against the media. It’s really disheartening.”
Upon further inquiry, the security guards present at the venue affirmed that denying the campus reporters access was an order from the management. The reasons behind this decision were not immediately clear, but it is speculated that there may be concerns regarding the coverage of the event or a desire to control the information disseminated.
The denial of access to the matriculation ceremony raises questions about the freedom of the press and the rights of campus journalists to carry out their duties. Campus reporters play a vital role in bringing important news and events to the student body and the larger community. Their exclusion from such events hampers their ability to fulfill their responsibilities.
As of now, there is no official statement from the institution’s management or Bayo Fadeji regarding the incident. It remains to be seen whether further clarifications or actions will be taken in response to the concerns raised by the campus reporters and the students.
Edugist will continue to follow this story closely and provide updates as more details unfold.
