Editor-in-chief, Premium Times Musikilu Mojeed says great content is key to the sustainability of any online news outlet.
Mr Mojeed said in his presentation at the 2021 annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) held at Sheraton Hotel, Lagos last weekend that online news outlets must go beyond generating content alone to ensure survival in this era.
The Premium Times chief, who spoke on “Making Online News Outlets Sustainable,” said publishers must not compromise credibility which comes along with being “fair, diligent, consistent and ethical in your coverages.”
The thoroughbred investigative journalist and former president of GOCOP advised that online news outlets must have multiple revenue streams.
“Advertising alone can’t save you from the hangman,” he asserted.
Sharing his experience at Premium Times, Mojeed said they have built trust with some non-profit entities that support for-profit newsroom, while working hard to sustain partnership with traditional advertising and exploring innovative advertising.
Further, Mojeed said they have evolved into book publishing, organising events such as training, data and analysis service, seeking donations that support journalism and creation of membership services.
Meanwhile, publisher of Realnews Maureen Chigbo emerged the new president GOCOP for the next two years at the annual general meeting. She took over from the publisher of The Eagle Online Dotun Oladipo after he served out two terms.
Maureen was elected the fourth president of GOCOP alongside 14 others as the new set of executive committee (Exco) including Danlami Nmodu as deputy president, Ken Ugbechie as vice president, south; Tom Chiaheman emerged vice president, north; Collins Edomaruse as general secretary, Olumide Iyanda as deputy secretary-general; Remmy Nweke as publicity secretary, Azuh Arinze as financial secretary, while Yemisi Izuora emerged treasurer.
Similarly, Messrs Max Amuchie, Horatius Egua, James Ume; Akeem Oyetunji, Raymond Ukaegbu and Tony Edike were elected zonal coordinators for the north central, north east, north west, south west, south south and south east, in that order.
In her acceptance speech on behalf of her new exco team, Chigbo pledged to do her best in uplifting the ideals of GOCOP and credibility of members with the support and cooperation of the group.
