Minister says online media needs self regulation

temitope a

May 10, 2016 10:23 AM

Minister of Information and Culture, Mr Lai Mohammed, has said that bloggers and online publishers need self-regulation.

Lai Mohammed- Minister of Information and Culture

Mohammed said this in Kaduna on Tuesday, May 10 2016 during a closed door meeting with Arewa Online Publishers.

According to the minister, there are credible online media in the country but added that bloggers and publishers should regulate themselves for credibility and effectiveness.

"Some of us, if we read a story in certain blogs, the first impression is that someone somewhere wants to blackmail someone," Mohammed said, adding that if professional journalists takes charge of the online market, the confidence of the people in the platforms will be restored.

The Information Minister said unlike the Nigerian Guild of Editors, bloggers have not come together on a self-regulation plan.

"But we are happy that online media publishers are beginning to unite. If there are no self-regulations, the online media will be heading to self-destruction," Mohammed said.

He advised bloggers to show credibility and professionalism in their reportage of issues adding that he will work with the Arewa Online Publishers to drive National development.

Chairman of Arewa Online Publishers, Mr Sunday Ibrahim Modecai, who thanked the minister for the opportunity, said that all the Arewa Online Publishers are well breed journalists who some have worked in both national and international media.

He assured the minister that the registered Arewa Online Publishers members will continue to uphold ethical standards in the discharge of their duties.

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