Great content has been described as key to survival and making of online news outlets sustainable in this era.
The Editor-in-Chief, Premium Times, Mr. Musikilu Mojeed, gave this insight in his presentation at the 2021 annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) held at Sheraton Lagos last weekend.
Speaking on “Making Online News Outlets Sustainable,” Mr. Mojeed noted that it’s not just enough to generate content but having a great content stands any online news outlet aside among equals.
This, he said, has a way of retaining visitors and readership over time which enriches and sets the platform on the path of sustainability.
Mojeed, who is a thoroughbred investigative journalist and former president of GOCOP, told his audience that they equally have to be credible in carrying out their profession.
“You must be credible,” he declared.
Credibility, he said, comes along with being “fair, diligent, consistent and ethical in your coverages.”
Additionally, the Premium Times chief said that in order for an online news outlets to be sustainable in this era and age, they must have multiple revenue streams.
“Advertising alone can’t save you from the hangman,” he asserted.
Sharing his Premium Times experience, Mojeed said they have built trust with some non-profit entities that support non- for-profit newsroom, while working hard to sustain partnership with traditional advertising and exploring innovative advertising.
Further, Mojeed said they have evolved into book publishing, organizing events such as training, data and analysis service, seeking donations that support journalism and creation of membership services.
GOCOP, a registered non-governmental, non-partisan, non-profit organisation, comprises owners of online publications with vast experiences as professional journalists.
