GOMEP-NG Urges National Assembly to Regulate Nigeria’s Online Media Industry

By Charity Uwakwe

As online media continues to shape public opinion and national debate in Nigeria, the Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) is asking the National Assembly to take a major step: create a law to formally recognise and regulate the country’s fast-growing digital media industry.

Nigeria’s online media industry is growing faster than ever, but GOMEP-NG says the sector cannot continue without a clear legal and professional framework. The guild is now looking to the National Assembly for action.

GOMEP-NG has urged the National Assembly to enact legislation to formally recognise and regulate Nigeria’s online media industry. The guild said a dedicated legal framework would promote professionalism, ethical journalism, accountability and responsible digital publishing while protecting freedom of expression and supporting the growth of Nigeria’s digital media sector.

The Guild of Online Media Editors and Publishers of Nigeria (GOMEP-NG) has urged the National Assembly to enact legislation to formally recognise and regulate Nigeria’s rapidly growing online media industry.

The call comes as digital platforms continue to play a major role in shaping public opinion, sharing information and driving national conversations across the country.

The National President of GOMEP-NG, Comrade Akpovoke Otiti, made the appeal in a letter addressed to the leadership of the National Assembly.

In the letter, Otiti called for legislative action towards the establishment of an Act to govern online media editors and publishers in Nigeria.

He said the proposed legislation would provide a clear legal and professional framework for online media practitioners. It would also promote responsible journalism, ethical standards and accountability in Nigeria’s digital media space.

According to Otiti, the growing influence of online media makes it necessary for the sector to operate under an appropriate legislative framework.

He noted that online platforms now play an important role in public communication and national discourse. However, he said the absence of a dedicated legal framework for online media publishers and editors had created challenges around professionalism, credibility and accountability.

The situation, he added, also raises concerns about the protection of media practitioners working in the digital environment.

Otiti therefore appealed to the leadership and members of the National Assembly to give the proposal serious consideration and support.

He stressed that effective legislation would help strengthen Nigeria’s digital media ecosystem while promoting higher professional standards across the industry.

The GOMEP-NG president also expressed the guild’s readiness to work with lawmakers, government agencies, media organisations and other relevant stakeholders in developing legislation for the sector.

He said such collaboration would help ensure that any proposed law promotes professionalism and responsible journalism without undermining freedom of expression.

GOMEP-NG maintained that the enactment of an online media law would mark an important step towards strengthening Nigeria’s digital media industry.

The guild also said a clear regulatory framework would help ensure that online journalism continues to contribute meaningfully to national development while encouraging greater responsibility among digital publishers and editors.