GOCOP President Calls on Members to Maintain Ethical Standards in Online Journalism
…Max Amuchie Highlights Revenue Opportunities and Low-Hanging Fruits
Maureen Chigbo, President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), has urged the Guild’s more than 100 members to make entrepreneurial decisions that will distinguish them in the online media landscape.
Chigbo delivered this message at the Guild’s 8th Annual General Meeting (AGM) and Conference, held at the Reverton Hotel in Lokoja, Kogi State, on Wednesday, October 2, 2024.
She underscored the increasing significance of digital journalism, noting that traditional news organizations are also adapting by moving online. “We must recognize that we are mediapreneurs, and our role as SMEs in the online media community is vital,” she stated.
Chigbo emphasized that the AGM provides a platform for revitalizing members’ businesses while upholding a commitment to ethical journalism practices.
During the capacity-building session that opened Day One, the President explained that experienced members were deliberately chosen as resource persons. “We have invited successful members to share their insights, enabling others to achieve success. This is the essence of peer review. Today is about capacity building, peer review, and engaging with GOCOP partners. We will also hold our annual general meeting (AGM) today to account for our stewardship,” she remarked.
As the publisher of Relnews, Chigbo announced that GOCOP has its own corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. “We will visit an orphanage to give back to society, and we encourage all our corporate members to set aside funds each year for community contributions,” she said. She expressed gratitude to members for their support and praised the people and government of Kogi State for hosting GOCOP members. Additionally, she commended the organizing committee for their efforts in making Lokoja-24 a successful event and the membership committee for its rigorous screening processes that enhance the Guild’s credibility.
In the first presentation, Dr. Maxwell Amuchie, Founder/CEO of Sundiata Post Media Ltd, provided insights on “Low Hanging Fruits: A Revenue Strategy for Online Publishers.” He addressed a critical concern in online publishing: how to generate sustainable revenue. He identified several obvious revenue opportunities, including sponsored posts, link insertions, text link advertisements, and press releases.
Dr. Amuchie also discussed key revenue streams for online publishers, such as banner advertising, special projects with state governments and agencies, digital advertising, social media revenue, events management, and licensing and syndication.
Sharing insights from his own experiences, he encouraged members to maximize their revenue potential. He stated, “Despite the guidance and advice from GOCOP, members must take responsibility for defining their business strategies and ensuring that their websites provide value to attract patronage.”
Members actively engaged in brainstorming sessions focused on developing revenue streams while adhering to ethical standards in the profession.
Source: GOCOP
