The President of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), Ms. Maureen Chigbo, has stated that the organisation’s primary objective is to sanitise the online media space and establish standards for the industry.
Speaking at the launch of GOCOP’s maiden publication, “Nigeria Media Renaissance: GOCOP Perspectives on Online Publishing,” and a fundraising event for the GOCOP Media Center in Abuja,
Chigbo emphasised the need for collaboration with stakeholders to achieve this goal.
As a group of professional journalists with over two decades of experience in mainstream media, GOCOP is committed to promoting ethical online publishing practices.
Chigbo noted that the organisation’s members are dedicated to upholding the principles of truth, fairness, and balanced reporting, and have introduced a self-regulatory mechanism to ensure compliance.
To maintain high standards, GOCOP has established several committees, including a Disciplinary Committee/Ombudsman to address public complaints and ensure accountability.
Chigbo stressed that the organization takes its self-regulation responsibility seriously and is committed to weeding out unprofessional conduct.
The GOCOP President acknowledged the contributions of members, contributors, and supporters, including Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi, publisher of PREMIUM TIMES, who wrote the foreword to the book as well as the reviewer, and president, Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Dr Ike Neliaku.
She also expressed gratitude to the Federal Government, state governments, institutions, and corporate organizations for their support.
Chigbo appealed for generous donations to strengthen GOCOP and build the Guild’s Media Centre, which will empower members to run their businesses profitably.
She also urged public relations practitioners, advertisers, governments, and civil society organizations to support GOCOP businesses, emphasizing the critical role that online media plays in building a society where justice, peace, and individual rights are respected.
By promoting ethical online publishing practices and collaborating with stakeholders, GOCOP aims to establish itself as a leading voice in the online media industry and contribute to the growth and development of the sector.
Dr. Ike Neliaku, President of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), who reviewed the book, described it as a “classic documentation of the factual trajectory of a great destiny whose time has come.” He praised the book’s powerful storytelling approach, including the use of interviews, poetic devices, and “photo speak,” which give the work a vivid, engaging style that offers both substance and narrative appeal.
According to Neliaku, the book is more than a celebratory account. It offers readers “behind-the-scenes intrigues” from GOCOP’s registration with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), highlighting the resilience and strategic focus of its founding members. “As you read on,” he said, “you will continue to admire the tenacity and foresight of the five ‘wise ones’ who conceived the idea of setting up a platform where aspiring digital media owners could flourish.”
A key theme in the review was GOCOP’s growing role in shaping the nation’s reputation through digital journalism.
Dr. Neliaku noted that the Guild’s influence in this area makes it a natural partner for the NIPR in national image management. He emphasised the need for further exploration of GOCOP’s strategic contributions to reputation building for the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
He strongly recommended for journalists, media entrepreneurs, communication scholars, and policymakers. “The book is far from praise-singing. It provides theoretical and professional guidance and offers front-row insight into a flourishing online publishing ecosystem,” he said.
In a more symbolic appeal, Neliaku called attention to the urgent need for GOCOP to have a permanent facility that reflects its stature and future ambition. “Certainly, GOCOP is coming of age. The son of man now needs a place to lay his head,” he said, drawing from scripture to underscore the need for institutional consolidation.
The review ended with a reference to the foreword by veteran journalist and Premium Times publisher, Dapo Olorunyomi, who warned against complacency. “Freedom must never be taken for granted,” Olorunyomi wrote. “To safeguard this freedom, the online journalism community must collaborate to strengthen ethical, fact-based journalism and resist the forces that seek to undermine it.”
With this launch, GOCOP has not only documented its rise but has issued a rallying call for integrity, sustainability, and collective responsibility in Nigeria’s evolving media space.
