Professionalism: LEPOJ Organises Orientation for Online Journalists in Kaduna
By Alex Uangbaoje, Kaduna
As part of effort to ensure professionalism in online journalism practice in Nigeria, League of Professional Online Journalists (LEPOJ), on Wednesday, organised it’s first orientation and awareness creation meeting with online journalists in Kaduna.
The meeting was aimed at bringing all online journalists in Kaduna and Nigeria in general come together under one umbrella to think creatively and promote professionalism in online journalism.
Presenting her speech, Coordinator, Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF), Mrs. Sekyen Dadik, noted that the LEPOJ platform which intends to bring together online journalists in Africa is aimed at fostering professional excellence and information sharing among African online journalists.
“It seeks to promote networking among members as well as serve as a place
of refuge for members against threats and intimidation from repressive regimes and other threats to free media.
”To promote professionalism and excellence among African online journalists, to strengthen the capacity of online journalists, distinguish online journalists from bloggers, to protect and defend the interest of online journalists.
“To promote teamwork amongst journalists, create conversation amongst online journalists and expand the number of journalists on social media, stimulating
discussions using social media platforms.” she added.
In his remarks, LEPOJ, Coordinator, Alex Uangbaoje, said LEPOJ is a formidable association of journalists promoting professionalism in the practice of online journalism not only in Kaduna State, but in Nigeria, Africa and the rest of the world.
He added that the association also provide a forum for exchange of ideas, knowledge and capacity of its members in order to continue to uphold the integrity of the online journalism.
”The issue of ‘Fake News’ and Hate Speeches’ in recent times has become a very serious problem to the media world, especially the use of internet through social media to promote ideas and reports that can pull nations down, set the citizens against the authorities and against themselves, even destroy families and relationships all in the name of disseminating news.
“And when these stories are pushed out by anybody, blogs or news websites that are created by some people who can afford to pay for website design, the impression the public gets is that, ‘it is the news media that published it’ probably because of the faith they have in this noble profession, without being able to distinguish between the non professionals and those who are trained to disseminate information.
“So, this is why the leadership of Africa Media Development Foundation (AMDF) in their wisdom came up with the idea to bring online journalists together and start a professional association with the objective to promote professionalism, equip online journalists with knowledge to uphold ethical conduct at all times, so as to separate the professionals from the ordinary bloggers and social media users.” Alex explained.
He for stated that the “gathering became necessary because if you look at the journalism practice in Nigeria, Kaduna is one of the most vibrant state when it comes to providing the public with quality information, but unfortunately the online journalists here don’t even understand that they are more powerful and should be in the lead rather we are still queuing behind those who should be begging us for direction.”
