Distributors Seek Govt Intervention In Newspaper Vending Business

The Abuja Newspapers Distributors Association (ANDA) has called for government intervention in the business of newspaper vending.

President of the association, Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John, said sellers of newspapers, popularly called vendors, have contributed significantly to information dissemination around the world.

According to him, before the advent of the internet, vendors were the only source of news for those who relied on newspapers.

“It is only through vendors that newspapers are found on the streets and in offices. Without a vendor, the president of the country cannot have access to dailies, same with other VIPs. Unfortunately, despite this noble role, vendors are often treated with disdain.”

However, he lamented that the business is on the verge of extinction and needs urgent attention.

“Newspaper vending is one business that plays a pivotal role in the country and should not be allowed to die. While the internet has dealt the business and the entire print media industry a heavy blow, the activities of government and its agents continue to hurt the trade.

“Street vending and office supplies cannot be erased as long as we continue to have hard copies of newspapers. The aggressive approaches by agents of government towards vendors need to be reviewed. A situation where vendors are arrested arbitrarily and thrown into cells over trumped-up charges must stop.

“Vendors are not criminals but legitimate and very hardworking people earning a decent living,” he added.

He said government offices that owe vendors and do not consider their plight should do better and ensure prompt payments to ease the business.

“Those long-term debts hurt everyone, including the media organisations that produce the dailies. Their payments should be prioritised.”

On the issue of monetisation, which he said has helped to cripple the business, he urged media organisations, through NPAN, to put pressure on the Federal Government to reverse the policy so that more money can flow into the industry through vendors who supply newspapers to government offices.

“If all the allocations in our annual budgets for the purchase of newspapers are properly utilised, the newspaper industry and vendors would be better off.

“As partners in business, media organisations should take the newspaper vending business and the welfare of vendors more seriously. They have louder and more respected platforms to push for policies and programmes that can benefit vendors,” he added.