The Managing Editor of Guardpost Nigeria, Ibanga Isine, has advised online publishers to avoid those he described as ‘maggots’ and ‘purveyors of propaganda’ in the political murky pond.
Addressing the Conference of Online Publishers in Akwa Ibom State (COOPA) at their 2023 Convention held over the weekend in Eket, Akwa Ibom State, Isine remarked that the people do not mean well for the society.
The keynote speaker who spoke via a zoom session on the theme: The Future of Social Media: Exploring Emerging Platforms, Technologies, and the Landscape, noted “Some of these maggots in the political murky pond have never had a significant career or trade other than functioning as errand boys and purveyors of propaganda. You must avoid these people for they do not mean well for you and the society.
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“You must stop being mouth organs of politicians and do not deploy your platforms to fight their dirty wars. You will agree with me that a lot of the problems you have encountered as a blogger can be traced back to the materials you obtained from politically exposed persons or the posts you made about politically exposed persons.
‘‘I will not fail to call out media aides to government officials and other individuals who breed crises for a living by giving false scoops and inflammatory stories to both bloggers and journalists. When these narratives are published and they spark a crisis, they go to their bosses and extort them under the pretense of handling the situation they created,” he stated.
The award-winning journalist warned those who own and manage blogs as well as those who publish news items online are not in anyway shielded from the law of libel and defamation.
He described a blog as a digital platform which allows individuals or organisations to express and share their thoughts, ideas and experiences on a wide range of topics.
“Can a blog be considered a medium of mass communication? The answer is yes and that is because technology has removed the barrier that once restricted mass communication practice to journalists, editors, and filmmakers”, he explained.
“Today, laypeople can use digital platforms to share their feelings, thoughts, information and ideas with a large and broadly dispersed group of people for a little or no cost. Now…if blogging is a kind of mass communication, are bloggers who create and share information, ideas, and content subject to the same values, laws, and rules as other forms of mass communication? The answer is still yes”, he said.
“If communications and media law encompasses all legal issues affecting the media and telecommunications industries, such as free speech, defamation, copyright, and censorship, stalking, bullying, privacy, and national security, are bloggers immune from liability if they violate the law?
‘‘The answer this time around is no. Here lies the reason many bloggers and online publishers have continued to be caught on the other side of the law,” he pointed.
The popular journalist said it was a call to COOPA members and journalists in the state “to upskill, cross-skill, and receive hands-on learning required to remain relevant, deliver value, and make profit in a highly disruptive global media ecosystem”.
He dismissed the notion held by some bloggers that they live in a world of their own and are largely disconnected from the broader framework, values and practices of the media or mass communication, stressing that such perception is “extremely dangerous and could harm not only the blogger or online publisher, but also lead to the breakdown of law and order.”
He, therefore, called on members of the organization to be more responsible content creators and become more valuable by acquiring requisite skills that would enhance their relevance in the highly competitive media space.
“Young and upcoming bloggers and content creators like you have reason to be worried, as major media corporations now deploy top-tier services of professionals and leverage their wide connections in corporate and political circles to pursue the huge amount of advertising revenue flooding into the blogging industry. While it is true that you cannot compete with them on equal footing, there are still steps you can take to ensure your own success, continued relevance, and financial gain. You must innovate, create, and serve.”
“When deciding what to post next, it’s important to think about the people who will be exposed to the content, how the content will affect them, and how to minimise the negative impacts while amplifying any positive ones.”
Isine charged his audience to refrain from being used as political tools of public office holders, adding that a lot of bloggers’ arrest and detainment can be traced to their unholy matrimony with politicians.
He called on government officials to cease from rewarding such persons as their aides, saying they operate the dark media and put Journalists and bloggers into trouble.
“It is past time for the government of Akwa Ibom State, and indeed governments at all levels across the country, to stop rewarding misconduct by appointing people who insult, lampoon, and malign citizens who criticise the government with the genuine intention of wanting them to deliver on the promise of good governance.
‘‘When appointed, these individuals operate the dark media within the government’s air-conditioned offices, fabricating reports against perceived enemies of the government. Such stories put journalists and bloggers in trouble.”
Accordingly, Isine enjoined COOPA to shield itself from the influence of such people in the corridors of power, by establishing a set of ethical guidelines, a code of conduct, or a set of principles to govern their activities and promote ethical standards within their community.
“The establishment of such a framework would not only enhance the reputation of practitioners, but also serve as an indication of their professionalism. If your members are not immune from punishment for contravening the rules and regulations that govern the operations of the media and telecommunications sectors, then no one should advise you to create a framework to protect yourselves,” he stated.
In the meantime, the veteran journalist gave the organization thumbs up for being upbeat in the discharge of their functions and towing the part of professionalism.
“Let me remark that between 2015 and now, the Akwa Ibom State blogging community, under the aegis of COOPA, has done an excellent job of cleaning up the practice. I am glad to note that some of our criticisms sparked a sort of revival in the Conference, with many completing programmes in journalism and related media disciplines.”
“For this, I would like to acknowledge my brother, Chancellor Nsewo, and his team for providing the quality leadership that has helped COOPA become what it is today. They have done an excellent job of reorienting and rebranding what was once a motley crew of online warriors into a body of responsible and respected bloggers and online publishers”.
He wished the organization well and urged them to keep up on capacity development, reminding that every investment one makes to improve his/herself and the society offers returns in more than one currency.
“But as you work on that investment, never leave your door open for someone to turn off your light,” Isine maintained.
Ekemini Udim, a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court, who also presented a paper on “The Legal Burden of Online Publishing and the increasing Scourge of Harassment faced by Bloggers and Social Media Influencers, said the internet has truncated the publication of newspapers that came into being over the years.
‘‘The internet came and disrupted the status quo. Through the internet, online publishing was introduced. Some traditional newspaper houses dismissed it at the initial stage and continued in their physical printing of newspapers.
‘‘But the force of the internet was too strong for the traditional newspaper houses to continue to remain indifferent. Meanwhile, online publishing had sprung up and had taken the internet space. It was characterised by real-time publishing of the news. It was convenient and accessible from everywhere and at any time.
‘‘Several companies preferred them and placed adverts with these online papers. The attraction was too good to ignore and the traditional publishers had no option than to embrace online publishing to avoid being put out of circulation by the online publishers most of whom were young and vibrant men and women of the pen profession who were poised to make a difference. Online publishing has indeed come to stay and the world can hardly do without it.’’
He, therefore, called for a bill be originated and forwarded to the House of Assembly for a Law to offer specific protection to online publishers, bloggers and social media influencers as well was for their training and re-training keep abreast with the trend in the profession.
The new COOPA Chancellor, Utitofon Morgan thanked COOPA members for electing to serve the body.
‘‘As I outlined in my manifesto, one of the key areas of focus for the organization is Human Capital Development. This will be achieved through a variety of initiatives, including in-house training, conferences and events in and outside the state, as well as opportunities for members to develop their skills in the ICT sector.
‘‘Our goal is to provide our members with the tools and resources they need to succeed in their careers and make positive impact in their communities, because by investing in our members’ development, we are investing in the future of our organization and our state.
‘‘I will work with everyone in this room for the betterment of COOPA. We will operate an open-door policy where every COOPA member is carried along in the scheme of things and given a sense of belonging. Ours shall be a consultative and listening administration. Among other things, we shall strike purpose-driven collaborations with the government, non-governmental organizations, corporate bodies as well as individuals.
‘‘We shall link up our members with media and non-media organizations within and outside Akwa Ibom State and ensure that our organization remains a strong and impartial voice for truth, justice and development, within Akwa Ibom State and beyond.’’
He appealed to all to support this new administration to succeed with necessary suggestions and by being a good Ambassador of COOPA through your activities on social media.
Those elected to serve COOPA for the next eight years were Prince Simeon as the Deputy Chancellor, Ifiok Itiaba, Assistant Secretary; Enwono Elisha, Treasurer; Saviour Nathaniel, Financial Secretary; Uwakmfon Dan, PRO 1, and Itoro Bassey as PRO 11. The position of a Secretary is yet to be filled.
Papers were presented on “Product Development and Prototyping” by Hanson Johnson; “Empowering Women in Tech: Bridging the Gender Gap” by EnoAbasi Emah and Idongesit Essien.
