By Austin Ogwuda
THE Chairman of the Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli has called on State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Ifeanyi Osuoza to address the wrong of the past whereby media outfits owned by its members were discriminated, shortchanged and not given pride of place.
Enebeli made the plea when he led a delegation on courtesy visit to the Commissioner in his office today, Wednesday.
His words, “Historically, media organizations from the state have often been overlooked by the government and certain officials. A cloud of dichotomy was created, where the Online Media Houses were shortchanged, and often looked down on.
“We expect this to change with this administration, as our work equals any other media, be it electronic or print. Often, the so-called big media rely on our exclusives to expand their news reportage.
“As a Forum, of well-structured members numbering over forty, (40) platforms, with all legal rights to run business in Nigeria, we would desire to build a relationship where we will enter into a retainership arrangement with the state government, akin to those with Electronics and Print national media houses, to highlight the progress of the M.O.R.E Agenda of the Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori administration”.
Enebeli, also, on behalf of the body, congratulated Dr Osuoza on his well deserved appointment as Information Commissioner, noting that he proved his mettle as the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.
Responding, Dr. Osuoza said online media outfits play pivotal roles in promptly reporting the activities of the state government, noting that the speed with which they reported events had endeared them to many Nigerians.
He said he was already used to many of the online platforms and was satisfied with their reportage, promising to carry them along in the discharge of his duties.
The Commissioner told the online publishers to feel free to contact him for clarification on any issue before publication to avoid misinforming the public, which could count against the credibility of their platforms.
Pic: Delegation of DOPF members in a group photograph with the Information Commissioner during the visit