Politicians Are ‘Killing’ Journalism in Nigeria — GOMEP-NG President

— GOMEP-NG President accuses political actors of promoting untrained ‘pressmen’

By Our Correspondent

The rise of social media has changed how Nigerians consume information. But GOMEP-NG says the digital revolution should not erase the line between having an online platform and being a trained journalist.

GOMEP-NG President Akpovoke Otiti has accused political actors and some media practitioners of weakening journalism in Nigeria by allowing untrained social media operators to perform professional media functions. He called for greater respect for journalism training, ethics, verification and editorial standards.

ABUJA — The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has raised the alarm over what it described as the growing “debasement and bastardisation” of journalism practice in Nigeria.

The Guild’s National President, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, accused some political actors, government appointees and media practitioners of weakening professional journalism by allowing untrained social media operators to perform core media functions.

Otiti spoke while addressing concerns surrounding the growing role of social media handlers and political actors in the Nigerian media space.

He stressed that the ability to operate a social media account or write a few paragraphs does not automatically make an individual a journalist.

According to him, the rapid growth of digital media has made it possible for almost anyone to create content, circulate information and express opinions online.

However, he warned that access to a smartphone and a social media platform is not a licence to practise journalism.

“Writing is important, but professional media practice goes beyond the ability to write. It involves training, ethics, verification, editorial judgment, accountability and an understanding of the responsibilities that come with disseminating information to the public,” he said.

GOMEP-NG faults use of untrained media aides

Otiti said the growing practice of politicians appointing untrained individuals as media aides was becoming a serious concern.

He argued that some of these individuals are allowed to perform functions traditionally handled by trained journalists, thereby weakening professional standards.

He urged political leaders to respect the academic training and practical experience required to practise journalism.

According to him, years spent studying journalism and mass communication should not be treated as irrelevant simply because social media has changed the way information is produced and distributed.

The GOMEP-NG president, however, acknowledged the legitimate role of social media influencers, political supporters and online handlers.

He said their functions should not be confused with those of trained media professionals.

“Respect the years of training alongside years of professional experience and exposure to the principles, ethics, responsibilities and technicalities of journalism and mass communication,” Otiti said.

‘Everyone has a voice online, but not everyone is a journalist’

Otiti called for a clear distinction between media professionals, social media influencers and political supporters.

He maintained that trained media professionals should provide leadership and expertise on matters that require professional journalism knowledge.

He also expressed concern about situations where people with little or no formal knowledge of mass communication are allowed to dominate discussions on professional journalism simply because they can write or operate social media platforms.

“As the National President of GOMEP-NG, I must say that I am not entirely comfortable being in a professional media meeting where someone without formal knowledge of the fundamentals and ethics of Mass Communication is expected to debate professional matters simply because they can write or operate a social media platform,” he said.

‘Politicians have turned everyone into a pressman’

The GOMEP-NG president further criticised what he described as the growing practice of turning virtually anyone into a self-styled “pressman” at political and public events.

He alleged that some individuals now appear at events wearing uniforms and tags identifying them as press personnel despite lacking professional journalism training.

“Today in Nigeria, our politicians have turned everyone into a pressman. They challenge even the core practitioners at field events, wearing uniforms with tags as ‘pressmen’. This is an insult to the profession,” he said.

Otiti questioned the practice of placing people without professional journalism training in positions of authority over trained practitioners.

“One will spend four years in the university studying the profession, while someone who has not even entered the four walls of a university can suddenly find himself heading a core professional media function simply because politicians have reduced the media to this level,” he lamented.

GOMEP-NG president also faults journalists

Otiti, however, did not spare journalists and media organisations.

He accused some practitioners of contributing to the decline in professional standards by sacrificing ethics for financial gain.

He condemned the practice of allowing non-journalists to produce news reports that are later published by media organisations for what he described as “peanuts”.

According to him, the media industry must also examine its own role in the problem.

He urged media organisations and practitioners to resist pressure to sacrifice professional ethics, editorial independence and journalistic standards for political patronage or cheap content.

‘Evolution does not erase professionalism’

Otiti said GOMEP-NG remained committed to promoting ethical journalism, professional competence, accountability and responsible digital media practice.

He stressed that the transformation of the media industry should not be used as an excuse to abandon the principles that underpin credible journalism.

“The media space may have evolved significantly, but evolution does not erase professionalism. Everyone may have a voice online, but not everyone is a journalist,” he said.