What makes GOCOP thick!

Tribute@ITRealms:

It is my pleasure to welcome everyone to this historic event. Today is a major milestone for our Guild, which was formed about four years ago to check all forms of professional misconduct by new media proprietors and their journalists. Be it blackmail, fake news, rumour mongering, or copyright infringement.

GOCOP has grown in leaps, and so has been its influence. At our inaugural meeting on October 9, 2013, we had only nine members in attendance. Last night when we had our congress and elected new leaders, the room overflowed with members. We now have at least 55 members, with many more members queuing up to join, indicating a dramatic ballooning of the nation’s online media space.

Yet, becoming a member of GOCOP does not come easy.

Our constitution demands that to be admitted:

a. You must have practised journalism for at least 10 years.

b. Non journalist who establishes an online news publication must appoint an editor who has practised for at least 10 years.

c. Your company must be registered as a media entity with the Corporate Affairs Commission.

d. Members must have verifiable and functional office in Nigeria.

e. You must have a minimum of two reporters and other layers of staff.

f. Your online publication must have been in existence for a minimum of one year.

g. You must be recommended by at least two financial members of the association.

h. To be admitted to the Association, the Screening Committee must certify that you have met the requirements (a to g) above.

You may lose membership:

a. If you fail to keep your financial obligations to the Association for at least three years.

b. If you are proven to have engaged in any form of unethical conduct.

We have an Ethics/Disciplinary Committee, and membership of GOCOP is usually revoked once it is proven that a member engaged in any form of misconduct.

Over the years, we have peer-reviewed each other, and ensured that members remained on the path of professionalism. At one of our meetings we agreed to name and shame members who indulge in any form of professional misconduct. We have engaged authorities and private sector entities in our country on how to enhance professionalism in our country and deepen trust in the media.

Since the inception of this Guild, the online media space in Nigeria has ballooned. A number of online news platforms have sprung. This exponential growth has, understandably, come along with a lot of positives and not a few negative developments.

     

While this expansion in the space signify healthy increase in access to information by Nigerian citizens, as well as democratization of the space to give way for diversity of voices, it at the same time portends series of problems.

Chief among these is the unhealthy dose of fake news and hate speech being dished out through some of these websites and blogs. Indeed, some of the platforms appear to have been set up solely for propaganda, smear campaigns or for the spreading of hate.

Just like security agencies and those in authority, we are equally worried about the proliferation of fake news sites that trade in fake news, and those who exist to spread hate. 

We are concerned beyond our standing as patriotic citizens but also as online publishers because of how the activities of some unscrupulous elements are giving us all a bad name.

While we will continue to advocate for widening of the space for citizens to express themselves, GOCOP is ready to support authorities concerned in a bid to sanitize this industry. 

We however demand that all stakeholders, including this guild and all other identified Nigerian media stakeholders join hands to find solution to this problem. We are for sanity but we do not want a regulatory environment that gags or muscle the nation’s media space.

Now GOCOP is ready for any another phase in its history. That is why I am glad that we are passing on the baton today to an outstanding team of members elected yesterday. I am optimistic that this Guild will only grow stronger.

*Speech by immediate past acting president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Musikilu Mojeed.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

GOCOP warns Senate ‘Don’t deny Nigerians freedom of expression’

ITRealms:

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has warned on the Senate plan to deny Nigerians of their universally recognised right to freedom of expression, reports ITRealms.

The GOCOP Publicity Secretary, Mr. Olumide Iyanda, said in a press statement available to ITRealms that the draft bill to "Prohibit Frivolous Petitions and Other Matters Connected Therewith," which passed second reading in the Senate last week, poses a threat to the freedom of expression and obligation of the media as enshrined the Nigerian Constitution.

ITRealms recalls that the bill proposed up to two years in prison or a fine of N2 million or both for anyone who posts an "abusive statement" via text message, Twitter, WhatsApp, or any other form of social media. 

The bill also proposes varying penalties for false publications by print, radio and TV outlets.

GOCOP said on the proposed bill: “We wish to call the attention of the Senate to the UN Declaration of Human Rights, which guarantees freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers. 

“Nigeria is also a signatory to other international statutes like the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights and the UN Convention against Corruption, among others,” GOCOP noted.

The group also expressed concern that given the inadequate media and internet penetration in the country, the Senate will lend itself to any move to discourage further growth.

“As other countries adopt more generous and dynamic approach to the protection of free speech to allow citizens access to information without fear of intimidation, the National Assembly should not shackle the very media for which our present democracy owes it survival. 

“Having benefitted from a vibrant media, it is worrisome that the lawmakers have turned around to debate a law which seeks to punish users of online media platforms.”

GOCOP, therefore, called on the lawmakers to desist from any action that will create fear among media practitioners, online activists and whistleblowers who may become likely targets if the bill becomes law.

“While we continuously campaign for responsible, objective and transparent practice among media practitioners and social media users across platforms, members of the Senate should not restrain access to information to protect politicians and other high ranking individuals who do not want to be held accountable for their actions,” GOCOP said.

+ITRealms DSA 
ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Dikki says BPE is enabling FDI inflow, commends GOCOP launch

ITRealms:

The Director-General of the Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE), Mr. Benjamin Ezra Dikki, has commended the formal launch of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) just as his office is enabling inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) into the country, reports ITRealms.

Speaking at the launch of GOCOP in Lagos at the weekend, Mr. Dikki also said BPE has laid the foundation for enabling foreign direct investment in the country through privatization and commercialization.

“No doubt, the launch of GOCOP could not have come at a better time than now, given that the world over, online publication has become the vogue; and Nigeria cannot afford to be left behind,” he said.

BPE, he said, thus commends GOCOP bold initiative to inaugurate the Guild which undoubtedly, is made up of reputable media practitioners with several years of experience with the primary objective of ensuring that online publishers in Nigeria uphold the tenets of journalism and to serve as a platform for peer review.

He pointed out that the Bureau as the secretariat for the policy implementation arm of the National Council on Privatization (NCP) chaired by His Excellent, the Vice Presidency is focused on reform and privatization.

“In this regard, at the beginning of every year, the Bureau takes its work plan to Council for approval before implementation. It should be noted that in over three decades, reform and privatization have been a key economic policy of successive administrations as regards in Nigeria,” he said.

As a result of the reforms, privatisation and commercialization, Dikki said, Nigeria has witnessed tremendous inflow of foreign direct investments in various sectors of the economy.

“It is worthy to note that the advent of democratic governance since 1999, strong foundation were laid for economic reform and attraction of private capital to the national economy,” he said.

The government, he said, believes that the effective implementation of the proposed reform programmes will attract private capital; reduce government and political interference in the running of the economy; and clearly define role and functions of participants in the economy.

He recalled that the improved telephony which the nation is presently enjoying is a result of such reforms in the sector which produced the Telecom Policy and Legal/Regulatory framework which the NCP/BPE championed in 2000.

“Through the reforms carried out in the telecommunications sector, Nigeria has moved from about 400,000 telephone lines in 2001 to about 134 million lines in 2015; and the teledensity has increased from estimated 2.5 per cent to 95 percent in a space of 12 years,” Dikki said.

Describing inauguration of GOCOP as another eloquent testimony of the successful reform of the telecommunication sector, given that its main stead is on technologies. 

“And the same multiplier effect is expected when the reforms in other sectors of the economy by the federal government are completed,” he said and congratulated GOCOP on this milestone.

+Remmy Nweke (ITRealms) +ITRealms DSA  
ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

VP Osinbajo, Zinox chairman, Ekeh lead dignitaries to GOCOP launch

ITRealms:

The Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo (SAN) has been confirmed to, this Thursday, lead high-powered delegation of corporate Nigeria to the formal launch of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos, reports ITRealms.

In a press statement made available to ITRealms by the leadership of GOCOP indicated that all is now ready for the launch and that VP Osinbajo would be joined at the event slated for Eko Hotel & Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos, by notable Nigerians.

According to the chairman, Launch Committee, Mr. Chijama Ogbu, the VP, Osinbajo would deliver the keynote address while other eminent corporate magnets would join him in the discussion thereafter.

These include the Chairman of Zinox Group, Dr. Leo Stan Ekeh, and the Chairman of Channels Television, Mr. John Momoh, as guest speakers, whereas the former Chairman, Punch Newspapers, Ajibola Ogunshola, would be the chairman of the occasion.

ITRealms recalls that GOCOP is a non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit making organization for the highest strata of working journalists who have attained the exalted position of editors in the journalism profession and have delved into online publishing.

The primary objectives of the organization are ensuring that online publishers uphold the tenets of journalism and provide a platform for peer review.

"It is our goal is to provide order in online media within Nigeria’s geographic space, which currently boasts of a high population of charlatans,” Ogbu said, stressing that GOCOP believes it is important to provide a platform for journalists in this business to come together to set barometers of compliance with the ethical codes of the journalism.

 
+ITRealms DSA  
ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

Debt management must be democratized, beckons GOCOP for partnership – Nwankwo

ITRealms:

The Director-General of the Debt Management Office (DMO) in the presidency, Dr. Abraham Nwankwo has said that the activities of any debt management must be democratized to yield the deserved gains, just as he beckons on Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) to partner with DMO for national development, reports ITRealms.

Speaking in Lagos, Friday, at a one-day enlightenment workshop for online publishers, Dr. Nwankwo pointed out that at this time in the annals of Nigeria, DMO could not ignore the online environment, especially those who are taking advantage of the social media technologies for accurate and adequate information dissemination.

He enjoined that whatever Nigeria as a nation and DMO as an entity of the Federal Government, that Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) must be optimized to the benefit of the country.

For him, online publishing is a new window that could support development and comes with onerous tasks, hence he described online publishers as partners in effort at progressing the activities of the nation and particularly DMO.

“The crisis of western countries particularly Greece is all about debt management and given the fall in oil prices its settles down on the fact that debt management role beyond just borrowing,” he said, stressin the need for the country to take advantage of debt management and work together with online publishers for national development.

In national development, he said, its important that as a country, Nigeria produce more goods and stick to telling the truth at all times.

According to him, Nigerians should think more of intellectual rectitude, underscoring the fact that there is no group in the world that plays more role than the media, “because they have to keep up in shaping the way the world is or should be.”

He noted that online publishing and social media are becoming more dominant in the media practices globally, and deserve every attention and partnership required for societal growth.

Nwaankwo advised GOCOP members to ensure that first, they do not undervalue and over value their roles in development.

Emphasising that it is in this realization that DMO come with trust and believe that they could structure a relationship to the greater benefit of Nigerians, especially in the forthcoming financial year.

Dr. Nwankwo was accompanied at the workshop by senior management team from DMO including the Director, Market Development, Ms Patience Oniha, Director, Strategic Programmes, Mrs. Asma’u Mohammed, Director, Debt Recording & Settlement, Mrs. Hannatu Suleiman, Head, Policy Strategy & Risk Management, Mr. Joe Ugoala, and his counterpart in Portfolio Management, Mr. Afolabi Oladele as well as Corporate Affairs Manager, Mr. Liman Balarabe, among others, spoke to various topics at the event.

In his remarks at the occasion, President, GOCOP and publisher of The Citizen, Mr. Malachy Agbo, commended DMO leadership for their foresight in collaborating with GOCOP and assured that the organization was set up to create sanity among publishers and publications online, because they are made up of professional journalists with track records of over 10 years in journalism.

He also invited Ministries, Department and Agencies (MDAs) of government at all levels to partner with GOCOP for promotion of accurate information for the world online from professional principles.

 


ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

GOCOP: Adesina, Shehu, Aruna merited their appointments

ITRealms:

Nigerian online publishers, under the aegis of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), have hailed the appointments of Messrs Femi Adesina and Garba Shehu as the Special Adviser on Media and Senior Special Assistant on Media to President Muhammadu Buhari, reports ITRealms.

GOCOP also applauded the appointment of Habib Aruna as the Chief Press Secretary to the Lagos State Governor, Akinwunmi Ambode.

GOCOP, in a press statement issued on Monday by its President, Mr. Malachy Agbo, said all the appointments were merited.

Agbo described Adesina, Shehu and Aruna as thoroughbred journalists and administrators who will bring their wide range of experiences to bear on the assignments at hand.

He said the choice of the appointees was a reflection of the deep thought that went into the selection process.

GOCOP, however, challenged the appointees not to lose focus when they assume office.

According to Agbo, “they should not fall into the temptation of abandoning the ethics of the profession once in office.”

"With you in office, we look forward to a freer and robust press, a media that is not in shackles and a good working relationship with all stakeholders," he said.

Agbo equally charged the media to, in the course of carrying out their enormous task of putting both the elected and appointed leaders under close scrutiny, operate within the ethics of the journalism profession.

 

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!

2015 presidential polls: GOCOP applauds Buhari, salutes Jonathan, Jega

ITRealms:

The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has described as successful the conduct of the presidential and National Assembly elections in Nigeria, repots ITRealms.

.

GOCOP, in a statement endorsed by its President, Mr. Malachy Agbo, said apart from field reports by its members and staff who covered the elections, the commendations locally and by the international community attests to the fact that this is, perhaps, the freest and fairest elections ever conducted in the country.

The statement, which congratulated the President-Elect, General Muhammadu Buhari (retd), for teaching Nigerians a lesson in perseverance with his victory having sought the same position thrice in the past without success, also charged the candidate of the All Progressives Congress to be magnanimous in victory.

Part of the statement read: "The time to jettison partisanship by the General is now as electioneering is over and the serious business of governance is at hand.

"There is no idea or persons that should be discarded in the process of moving the country forward."

GOCOP also saluted President Goodluck Jonathan for his glaring show of sportsmanship with his decision to congratulate Buhari even before the official declaration of the result.

It said: "This, no doubt, doused the tension that had been building up before the announcement of the final result and pulled the bullets out of the already cocked guns of those prepared for war in the event that their candidate loses."

The association also praised Jonathan for overseeing two successive elections that had proven that the country was also capable of holding its head high in the comity of nations when it comes to the conduct of free and fair elections.

Malachy in the statement also paid glowing tribute to the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Prof. Attahiru Jega, and his aides and staff for ensuring that the elections were in the main free and fair.

He said the place of Jega in Nigeria's history can never be forgotten.

GOCOP equally praised the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation and the media team of the APC, headed by Alhaji Lai Mohammed, for playing by the rules of the game through the avoidance of hate speeches and focusing on issues rather than frivolities throughout the campaign that heralded the elections.

GOCOP said the APCPCO, led by a former President of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, Mallam Garba Shehu, showed immense professionalism in the handling of the presidential campaign of the APC.

The association also commended Nigerians who participated fully in the voting process, in some cases under the rain.

Further, the statement noted: "Elections are about the people. And Nigerians showed great zeal and commitment to the process by turning out enmass to cast their votes, with some staying under the rain, as witnessed in most part of Lagos State, to cast their votes.

"For over 28 million Nigerians to have cast their votes out of the registered 68 million voters is a testimony to the zeal of Nigerians to participate in the process to elect their leaders.

"It is indeed victory for all."

The Guild urged Nigerians to show the same enthusiasm for the governorship and state Houses of Assembly elections coming up on April 11, 2015.

ITREALMS ... everything news digitally!