GOMEP-NG President Otiti Warns Journalists Against Political Manipulation

As concerns grow over political influence in Nigeria’s media landscape, the President of the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG), Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, has issued a strong warning to journalists and online publishers. He urged media professionals to reject financial inducements and political manipulation, insisting that the credibility of journalism depends on truth, fairness and ethical reporting.

Can journalists remain independent in an era of increasing political influence? GOMEP-NG President Akpovoke Otiti believes they must. His latest warning challenges media professionals to reject financial inducements, uphold ethics and protect the credibility of journalism in Nigeria.

GOMEP-NG President Comrade Akpovoke Otiti has urged journalists and online publishers in Nigeria to resist political manipulation and financial inducements. Speaking at the guild’s congress in Abuja, he warned media professionals against becoming tools for partisan interests, stressing that ethical journalism, balanced reporting and professional integrity must remain the foundation of credible media practice.

ABUJA — The National President of the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG), Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, has warned members of the association against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of political manipulation.

Speaking during the guild’s recent congress in Abuja, Otiti expressed concern over what he described as the growing monetisation of public opinion and increasing attempts by politicians to influence media narratives for personal and partisan interests.

He said journalists and online publishers must uphold the ethics of the profession by resisting every form of pressure capable of compromising their editorial independence.
According to him, media practitioners have a constitutional and professional responsibility to provide accurate, balanced and objective reports, regardless of political affiliations or financial inducements.

Otiti also cautioned members against participating in campaigns designed to tarnish the image or reputation of political opponents, noting that the credibility of the media depends on fairness, accuracy and adherence to ethical standards.

“Public opinion has increasingly been outsourced to the highest bidder. As media professionals, we must not allow ourselves to become instruments of political manipulation,” Otiti said.

Furthermore, he urged members of GOMEP-NG to remain committed to truth, fairness and the public interest at all times.

He reaffirmed the guild’s commitment to promoting professionalism, ethical journalism and responsible online publishing across Nigeria. He added that GOMEP-NG would continue to encourage members to protect the integrity of the profession through credible, balanced and fact-based reporting.

Otiti stressed that journalism remains a pillar of democracy and should never be reduced to a tool for advancing partisan interests or sponsored propaganda.