A bill to regulate the qualification for the practice of journalism in Nigeria, is scheduled for second reading at the House of Representatives.
Contained in the Nigerian Press Council Amendment Bill 2019 and sponsored by Francis Agbo, the bill will make it mandatory for practicing journalists to have degrees or higher diploma in media-related courses, The Punch has reported.
The bill particularly seeks to amend Sections 19 (1) (a), 19 (1) (b), 21 (5) (a), 21 (5) (b) and 35 of the Nigerian Press Council Act Cap N128 LFN 2004, to provide that “only a person who has first degree, Higher National Diploma in Journalism, Media Art or Communication, or postgraduate certificate shall practise as a journalist.”
It would also increase the punishment and fine for untrained and fake journalists.
Paragraph (a) of Section 19 (1) will be deleted and replaced with a new one that reads, “19(1)(a) he holds a first degree, Higher National Diploma certificate or its equivalence in Journalism, Media Art or Communication from any higher institution in Nigeria or elsewhere.”
“19(1)(b) in the case of a person who has a first degree in any other course, he shall within five years obtain a postgraduate certificate in Journalism, Media Art, Communication or related field from any higher institution in Nigeria or elsewhere.”
