President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Ms Maureen Chigbo has said that what prompted the formation of the guild is the need to sanitize the online media space as professionals whose members had spent over two decades in mainstream media before venturing into Online journalism as Mediaprenuers.
Chigbo, who is Publisher/Editor of
Realnews Magazine and Publications Ltd, spoke today, June 17, during the unveiling/launching, in Abuja, of its maiden publication: “Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing” and fundraising for GOCOP Media Center.
The President said that GOCOP would need the supports of government and collaboration of other stakeholders in Nigeria to effectively carry out such responsibility.
“GOCOP seeks to sanitize the online media space To succeed in this task, we require the collaboration of stakeholders, many of whom a represented here today.
“This collaboration draws from Nigeria’s 1999 Constitution, as amended, which gave the media a critical role under Sections 22 and 39. Because the Constitution did not specify the funding mechanism for this important role, the online publishers have to innovate. This is challenging, but with determination, structured stakeholder collaboration, and support, the objective is achievable.”
She stressed that Online publication is the future of the media industry, which the government and lawmakers have to support through enabling laws, tax exemptions, and grants, among others.
“To weed out quacks, GOCOP has introduced a self-regulatory mechanism with zero tolerance for Fake News and similar threats. Its members subscribe to the Ethics of the Journalism profession, which holds facts, truth, fairness, and balanced reporting as sacred.
“GOCOP, as a body of professionals, has also put in place structures for effective peer review and regulation of its members. It has several Committees, including on Constitution Review Committee, the Welfare Committee, the Finance Committee, and the Membership Screening.
“There is also the Disciplinary Committee/Ombudsman, charged with checking excesses of the Guild’s members, with an avenue to the public to seek redress in case of unprofessional conduct. I must emphasize that GOCOP takes its self-regulation responsibility very seriously.”
GOCOP President said that the publication of “Nigeria Media Renaissance – GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing” was made possible mainly by Godly inspiration and the exemplary teamwork spirit of Guild members.
GOCOP is a 120-member group of mediapreneurs made up of professional journalists who have worked in the traditional media, both broadcast and print, before transitioning to business owners in the online media community.
She solicited for generous donations to strengthen GOCOP and the building of the Guild’s Media Centre to empower members to run their businesses profitably.
She also appealed to all public relations practitioners, advertisers, governments at all levels, and civil society to support GOCOP businesses to grow as members have a critical stake in building a society where justice, peace, and the rights of individuals are respected against Fake News and similar threats.
Ms Chigbo acknowledged the support of Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, who wrote the foreword – a rich perspective on the history of online publishing and the pioneers in Nigeria.
She also acknowledge other contributors to the book including Danlami Nmodu, deputy President of GOCOP; Oladipo Dotun, former president, GOCOP; Ken Ugbechie, vice president of GOCOP, South; Tom Chiahemen, vice president of GOCOP, North; Akeem Oyetunji, GOCOP Coordinator, South West; Max Amuchie, GOCOP Coordinator, North; Olumide Iyanda, GOCOP General Secretary; Remmy Nweke, GOCOP Publicity Secretary; Gabriel Akindewo, publisher of Freedom Online; Segun Adeleye, publisher of WorldStage; and Hassan Gimba, publisher of Neptune Online.
She further extended appreciation to members of the editorial team and GOCOP Administration Secretary.
She expressed deep gratitude to all the keynote speakers over the years, whose presentations were also featured in the book; Federal Government of Nigeria, State governments, institutions, and corporate organisations organizations in both the private and public sectors, for their support over the years.
