Special Adviser to the President on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, former Chairman of Punch Newspapers, Chief Ajibola Ogunshola and Chairman of Zinox Group, Stan Leo Ekeh, have emphasised the need for responsible online journalism in the country.
They spoke on Thursday at the formal launch of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) at the Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria, Lagos.
GOCOP is a self regulatory and capacity building organisation formed by professional journalists with at least 10 years experience.
Adesina said President Muhammadu Buhari knows the importance of online journalism hence is passionate about the standardisation of its practice.
The former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors (NGE) said in a speech he titled: “Let your light shine,” that the nation cannot do without online publishing because it “can lift up or pull down an administration”.
Adesina averred that the change witnessed in the country in the last elections was driven largely by online publishing.
Adesina however said it has also been realised that sector has the good, the bad and ugly.
He referred to the ongoing trial of three bloggers for their decision to “bad or ugly”.
Practitioners, he said, now need to correct the lapses noticed among online publishers by continuously doing peer reviews.
He said owing to the challenges with online news platforms, people still do not trust them.
Those who make use of online news platforms, according to research, take in the information provided but still wait till the following day for the “traditional media to validate it.
“That is the challenge the online media must overcome.”
Adesina said among other challenges are concocted stories and the use of foul language, adding: “People believe operating online gives them the liberty to use uncouth language. Do peer review.
“Be ready to defend any falsehood you write.
“Those who see online publishing as licence to do what is not right should be ready to pay for it.
“This association should able to do a separation.
“Bad coin tends to drive good coin out of circulation.
“It is important an association like this should thrive, prosper and do peer review.”
Adesina said publishing is not adversarial always, adding: “Criticism good for any government.
“This is our country.
“The President’s image managers will be willing to work with the association.”
Ekeh, who was the Guest Lecturer, said in this age and time, no one can avoid online media.
He said the future wealth of the country lies online, advising that with the distress in the economy, Nigerians should not be blind to the future wealth.
He said there was the need to alter the equation fast.
Ekeh said a lot of people took exception to his comment during the administration of former President Goodluck Jonathan that the failure of the government to pay attention to online publications was going to cost them the election.
He said the past administration forgot it rode on the power of the online media to come into power and they paid for it, adding: “President Muhammadu Buhari might be analogue, but he used the online to get elected.”
Ekeh said he has also been a victim of false reports by online publishers and bloggers, hence he advocated quality practice by practitioners.
He urged the Buhari administration to pay attention to the education sector not minding what it will cost and also work with major telecommunications service providers to provide Nigerians free internet service.
Earlier in his welcome address, Chairman of the event, Chief Ogunshola, said the practice of online journalism comes with its own responsibilities.
Ogunshola said just like the traditional media, online publishers must be ready for the consequences of their actions whether good or bad.
He said online news platforms must also be able to attract the same level of confidence people have in some of the newspapers that have credibility and balance.
Speaking against the backdrop of the attention he paid to the online arm of the Punch titles when he was chairman of the newspaper, he said: “I am one of those supportive of online media.
He, however, advised that the primary focus should not be to make money.
“If you think online publishing can make you rich, that is a mistake.
“Businesses where people are rich is where you have barrier to entrance.
“With phones, you can do online publishing, hence there is no barrier of entrance.
“Almost anybody can do it as you do not require too much money to start it.
Since almost everybody can start it, you are not likely to make too much money from it.
“So my encouragement is that in doing online publishing, you must have other goals, the main one being the interest to serve other purposes.”
Ogunshola said it was the failure to realise this that has led to some who claimed to be online publishers to go into blackmailing.
He said: “Some have entered into online publishing trying to make money by blackmailing individuals, thus giving online publishing a bad name.”
Ogunshola said it was in the light of this that he became excited when told about the existence of GOCOP.
He said he wished it had taken off long before the cyber crime law came into effect, arguing that he is not against the law punishing anyone that has erred knowingly.
He said if every online publisher comes to the realisation that interest is paramount and not making money, there would be fewer challenges to face.
Speaker of the House of Representatives, Rt. Hon. Yakubu Dogara, in a goodwill message, said online newspapers have been of immense benefit to lawmakers.
Dogara, who was represented by Hon. Abdulrazak Namdas, said it has helped to bridge the gap between lawmakers and their constituencies.
He said for lawmakers to reach their constituencies now is just a click away on the telephone or computer.
He, however, said there was the need to identify real journalists who are into the online business.
He encouraged newsmen to “use news that will promote democracy.”
Dogara also said the consciousness that there are online publications had gone a long way in checking corruption, adding: “People now know they are being watched.
“And since part of the 8th legislative agenda is to fight corruption and with the realisation that you cannot do it without the media, it is imperative for the House to work with online publishers.”
Dogara equally called on journalists to help educate Nigerians about the functions and roles of the legislative arm of government.
The Director General of the Debt Management Office, Dr. Abraham Nwakwo, congratulated GOCOP on its launch.
Nwankwo said the online news platform is a critical component of the development of the country.
He said over 55 per cent of what happens to a nation’s economy is about perception.
He said since that perception is largely created by the media, there is the need for online publishers to assist in doing global marketing for the country and the economy.
Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission, Barrister Ekpo Nta, said the formation of GOCOP was coming at the right time.
Represented by Hon. Isa Ozi-Salami, Nta said online journalists have “a great role to play in the tackling of corruption”.
He said online publishers can be valuable whistle blowers for the Commission.
He however cautioned against reporting falsehood.
