By JKNewsMedia
THE FEDERAL Government has tasked the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) with the urgent responsibility of identifying and discrediting fake news merchants across the country’s online media space.
Speaking during the public presentation of the new book Nigeria Media Renaissance – Perspectives on Online Publishing, Minister of Information and National Orientation, Alhaji Mohammed Idris, warned that misinformation, disinformation, and fake news remain potent threats to public peace, national security, and democratic governance.
The event, held in Abuja, also doubled as a fundraiser for the GOCOP Media Centre.
Addressing the gathering, Idris emphasised the damage a single false report could inflict on society—triggering violence, wrecking financial systems, or tarnishing reputations within minutes.
He stressed that while many purveyors of falsehood are not members of GOCOP, the Guild must not remain silent.
“There is a responsibility on GOCOP to identify those peddling fake news and publicly disassociate from them,” Idris said.
“It’s no longer sufficient to merely state they are not part of your ranks.
You must help shape the ethical direction of Nigeria’s online platforms.”
He revealed that the Federal Government is advancing plans to establish a UNESCO Category 2 Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute in Abuja by November 2025.
According to him, the Tinubu administration is committed to a free but responsible press that reflects the core principles of journalism—truth, fairness, and accountability.
The Minister called for collaboration between government and online publishers to raise editorial standards, promote media literacy, improve public communication, and project narratives that foster national cohesion and hope.
Digital media, he noted, has a pivotal role in shaping public opinion, holding power to account, and fostering democratic culture.
“But above all,” Idris added, “you have a responsibility to promote truth and be partners in nation-building. A media renaissance must reset ethics, tone, and values in the digital space—not just with innovation but with a commitment to do better.”
GOCOP President Maureen Chigbo described the Guild as a network of 120 journalists who transitioned from mainstream to online publishing.
She reiterated GOCOP’s goal of promoting professionalism and cleaning up the digital media ecosystem.
“Our members are trained journalists who have worked in print and broadcast media before establishing their own online platforms,” she said.
“We are determined to sanitise the online space and entrench ethical journalism. Stakeholders must support us in growing our businesses to serve the country more effectively.”
Reviewer of the new publication, Dr Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), highlighted seven key themes from the 11-chapter volume.
These include a documented history of online publishing in Nigeria, a deep dive into the impact of political interference in public institutions, and a distinction between online publishing and unregulated social media commentary.
The book also honours the contributions of pioneering online journalists and outlines the quality and professionalism that define credible digital media.
Among notable attendees were the former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Ali M. Ali, and the Director-General of the Voice of Nigeria, Mallam Jibrin Ndace.
