The president of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCO), Maureen Chigbo, has affirmed the organisation’s commitment to curbing online fake news platforms.
Maureen affirmed while delivering her welcoming speech at yesterday’s lunch of the book titled “Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing,” in Abuja.
She said that the media, mainly digital and online platforms, play a crucial role in nurturing democracy, shaping public discourse, holding leaders accountable, and promoting accurate information.
“However, there is a need for a media renaissance—an effort to uphold ethics and values in journalism in the digital age. One of the biggest challenges facing the online media today is the spread of fake news and disinformation by untrained and unregistered people online.
“It is vital for us as a media to combat this menace collectively, but we need the federal government’s help in assisting GOCO to thrive as a business to fight fake news in the system.”
The president of the Nigeria Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku reviewed the eleven-chapter book written by 16 authors and commended the strategic placement of the stories, photo news, and titles.
He said, “We see that more hands were involved, covering and factoring in the country’s diverse social and cultural beings to give the book broader, wider, and deeper perspectives.”
Also, the minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, has again stated the Tinubu administration’s commitment to a free, responsible, and vibrant press, underscoring the media’s pivotal role in strengthening Nigeria’s democracy and national development.
Speaking in Abuja at the public presentation of “Nigeria Media Renaissance – Perspectives on Online Publishing”, organised by the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), the Minister lauded GOCOP for its leadership and foresight in championing ethical standards and innovation in the digital media space.
“The federal government is committed to a free, responsible, and vibrant press that aligns with the enduring core values of journalism — truth, fairness, and accountability,” he said.
“We want to work with the media to raise standards, promote media literacy, strengthen public communication, and tell the Nigerian story in a way that inspires hope and galvanises action.”
Idris noted that as Nigeria recently marked 26 years of continuous democratic governance, it was time for sober reflection on the broader responsibilities of democratic leadership and media partnership.
“Democracy, as we must constantly remind ourselves, is not merely the right to vote. It is not an end in itself. It is a means to an end — that end being the upliftment of the living standards of the Nigerian people, the provision of social services, the guarantee of rights and freedoms, and the development of infrastructure that supports economic and human progress,” he said.
The Minister said President Tinubu has taken bold steps to consolidate democratic gains by resetting the economy from consumption to production through sweeping reforms, investments in critical infrastructure, and enhancing social services in recognition of the deeper purpose of democracy.
“This administration is working assiduously to ensure that democratic governance translates into tangible improvements in the lives of our citizens,” he said.
The Minister emphasised that the digital media, particularly online publishers, have a critical role in the democratic journey by shaping public discourse, holding leaders accountable, and promoting national unity.
“The media — especially the digital and online media represented today — has a critical role in nurturing our democracy. You are the gatekeepers of information. You shape public discourse,” he stated.
He also cautioned against the rising menace of fake news, misinformation, and disinformation, saying they are not harmless errors but “threats to public peace, national security, and democratic governance.”
“We have seen how a false report can ignite violence, disrupt markets, or destroy reputations in minutes,” he said.
The Minister acknowledged that members of GOCOP are not known for disseminating fake news or disinformation.
However, he emphasised that they are responsible for identifying and calling out platforms that do so by describing such actors as agents of destabilisation.
The Minister announced that the UNESCO Category 2 Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Institute would commence operations in Abuja by November 2025 to bolster the fight against fake news and misinformation and support professional development in media.
“This initiative will position Nigeria as a global leader in the digital era’s responsible use of media and information. To this end, I urge GOCOP to fully embrace the emerging MIL Institute for its academic and experiential values and use the outcomes towards enhancing fact-checking mechanisms,” he said.
The Minister commended GOCOP for authoring the publication, stressing that it’s a conscious effort to reset the tone, ethics, and values that underpin journalism in the digital age.
“A renaissance, meaning rebirth, critically suggests innovation, grounded in reflection. It is not just about doing new things — it is about doing things better,” he said.
