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By Marian Kogolo

The Delta State Commissioner for Information, Dr. Michael Osuoza has commended Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) for contributing its quota in the dissemination of Governor Oborevwori administration’s programmes and policies to Deltans and to the global community.

Dr. Osuoza made the remark Tueday in Asaba during a retreat organized by members of Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), adding that the administration of Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori is poised to do M.O.R.E for Delta State.

The Commissioner, who was represented at the retreat by the Functioning Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Theresa Oliko, charged the online publishers to leverage on the opportunities that come with the internet, as the topic of the retreat, ” SEO, AI and Security in Online News Publishing: A Swiss Knife for Online Publishers,” which he recognized as germane in discharging their media responsibilities.

“Giving the emerging trend and sophistication in the online journalism business, the term ‘Swiss army knife’ has entered popular culture as a metaphor for its usefulness and adaptability, due to the multi-purpose nature of the knife which has a number of other gadgets folded into it,” he added.

He further expressed his concurrence to the submission of media experts that say “the application of Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) platforms have become crucial skills like a Swiss Knife which makes clear packaging and readability for the target audience.

However, the commissioner frowned at the negative trend that trails some of the online media platforms who engage in misinformation, libelous and media prosecution.

“Sadly, however, is the disturbing realization that with the expanding of the ranks of online journalism platforms and practitioners, the unbecoming syndrome of libelous, slanderous and deliberately misleading propaganda of sponsored misinformation as well as contractual engagement of only practitioners to prosecute and blackmail personalities through a deliberate regime of media trials is becoming more rampant by online media,” he submitted.

He admonished perpetrators to desist from such unwholesome style of journalism for it subjects their readers to undue pressure, stressing that the online media practitioners should eschew cyber and media bullying and sentencing via the use of social media.

Dr. Osuoza appealed to the DOPF to devise means of sanctioning and disciplining erring members so as to instill sanity in online journalism. Osuoza added that the state government under the leadership of Governor Oborevwori would always welcome constructive assessment and criticism of its policies and programmes.

In his opening remarks, the chairman of Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF), Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli expressed his delight for the existence of the umbrella body, adding that it has always projected the state in positive ways across all frontiers.

The guest Lecturer, Dr. Monday Ashibuogu, urged the DOPF members to key in to the tools of online platforms to boost their efficiency in journalism.

He further tasked the media practitioners to always secure their sites, saying that “an unsecure site is as dangerous as leaving your door open to go to sleep after hearing of someone being robbed an hour before.”

He disclosed that the digital landscape is a broad one and that due to the fact that it is global in nature, boundaries are not specifically spelt out geographically but rather by certain kinds of demographics and content consideration.

Dr. Ashibuogu charged the online publishers to engage in book-keeping and ensure that they don’t engage in frivolous spending.