GOCOP president urges ethical online journalism amongst members

The President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, GOCOP, Maureen Chigbo, has called on members to adhere to ethical rules in their operations.

She spoke at the 8th Annual General Meeting, AGM, and Conference in Lokoja, which held between Wednesday, October 2 and 3 2024.

In her welcome address to corporate online publishers the President said that members should realise that online is the future of journalism and that even traditional news organs have realized it and are rushing in.

“We must know we are mediapreneurs and small and medium enterprises, SMEs, in the online media community.”

She noted that the AGM is usually to reinvigorate members’ businesses while adhering to ethical rules.

On capacity building session that started the Day One, the President said that the choice of experienced members to serve as resource persons was deliberate, saying; “We have brought our members that have succeeded in various aspects to talk to members so that more people can succeed.

“That is what peer review does to us. Today is capacity-building, peer review, and talking to GOCOP partners.

She appreciated the members for solidarity and support while commending the people and government of Kogi State for playing host to GOCOP members.

In his presentation at the event, Maxwell Amuchie, Founder/CEO, Sundiata Post Media Ltd, drilled members on ‘Low Hanging Fruits; A Revenue Strategy for Online Publishers’.

Speaking on earning sustainable revenue from the online publishing practice, he identified the obvious revenue areas, which he called low hanging fruits and named some of them as: sponsored posts, link insertions, text link adverts and press releases.

On major revenue schemes available to online publishers, he mentioned banner adverts, special projects writing, especially with state governments and agencies, digital advertising, social media revenue, events management, as well as licensing and syndication.

Amuchie, who gave a deep insight into his experience in the beginning and how he stumbled on opportunities, gave hints on how to maximise the revenue areas.

He said: “Despite advice and counsel by GOCOP, members have the responsibility to define their business strategies and make their websites offer value that can attract patronage.”

The members thereafter brainstormed on how to create revenue streams without breaching ethics of the profession.