…..accuses political actors of promoting untrained ‘pressmen’
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 bastardization” of journalism practice in Nigeria, accusing government and political appointees and some media practitioners of reducing the profession to a playground for untrained social media operators.
The National President of GOMEP-NG, Comr. Akpovoke Otiti, issued the warning while addressing social media handlers and political actors, insisting 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 evolution of the media landscape has made it possible for virtually anyone to create content, circulate information and express opinions online.
But, he stressed, access to a smartphone and a social media platform is not a licence to practise journalism.
Otiti said the growing practice of politicians appointing untrained individuals as media aides and allowing them to assume the functions of professional journalists was not only undermining the profession but also eroding the standards required for responsible 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.
He urged politicians to stop ridiculing the media profession by placing unqualified individuals in positions requiring professional media knowledge, arguing that the years of academic training and practical experience acquired by journalists should not be treated as worthless.
The GOMEP-NG president maintained that social media influencers, political supporters and online handlers have legitimate roles within the digital ecosystem, but 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.
He called for a clear distinction between media professionals and social media influencers or political supporters, insisting that core practitioners should be allowed to provide the necessary leadership and expertise in professional media matters.
Otiti further expressed concern over 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.
He lamented what he described as a disturbing trend in which political actors have increasingly turned virtually anybody into a self-styled ‘pressman’, with some individuals allegedly wearing uniforms and tags identifying them as press personnel at public events.
“Such practices amount to an affront to the professional identity of journalists who have spent years acquiring formal education and practical experience.
“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 logic 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.
However, Otiti did not spare journalists themselves, accusing some media practitioners of contributing to the problem by surrendering professional standards for financial gain.
He condemned the practice of allowing non-journalists to produce news reports that are subsequently published by media organisations for what he described as “peanuts.”
The GOMEP-NG president said the media industry must confront its own complicity and restore professional standards before the damage becomes irreversible.
He urged media organisations and practitioners to resist the temptation to sacrifice professional ethics, editorial independence and journalistic standards for political patronage or cheap content.
Otiti said GOMEP-NG was committed to promoting ethical journalism, professional competence, accountability and responsible digital media practice, stressing that the transformation of the media space must not become an excuse for abandoning the foundations upon which credible journalism is built.
“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.
