The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) has resolved to partner with the Nigerian Copyright Commission on the need to protect the intellectual property of writers, especially journalists.
Rising from its meeting attended by over 20 members in Abuja, GOCOP also called on journalists to exhibit the highest degree of professionalism by giving credit to source (s) of information.
While decrying harassment of newsmen by security agents, the Online Publishers also called on journalists to step up coverage of political activities on the road to 2015 elections and to uphold the basic principles guiding journalism.
The communiqué issued at the end of the meeting and signed by Malachy Agbo and Dotun Oladipo, President and General Secretary respectively reads:
The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers met in Abuja and resolved as follows:
1. Expressed the need to work in concert with the Nigerian Copyright Commission to properly articulate steps to take in protecting the intellectual property of writers. This stems from the flagrant abuse of the properties of writers, especially journalists. The Guild thus called for professionalism among journalists, top of which should be giving credit to source (s) of information.
2. The Guild commiserates with the nation, the executive committee and members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors, co-workers and family members of former presidential spokeswoman and for Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Dame Remi Oyo; the Vice Chairman of Sun Publishing Limited, Pastor Dimgba Igwe; and the Editor-in-Chief of Real News magazine, Mike Akpan, all of who died recently. While it wished the departed souls eternal and blissful rest. It also prayed to God to grant all those affected by their departure the fortitude to bear the loss.
3. The Guild also decried the harassment of journalists in recent times by security agents. It urged security agents to respect the rights of journalists and also the constitutional guarantee for the unfettered discharge of their duties.
4. The Guild called on journalists to step up the quality of their coverage of political activities as the 2015 elections draw nearer. It reminded journalists that they should not forget the basic principles guiding journalism, especially during this election year. It said the principles of fairness and adequate consideration for national security should be uppermost on the minds of newsmen in this season.
5. Over 20 members of GOCOP attended the meeting.
