Delta State Government has pledged more meaningful engagement of online media platforms in ensuring the dissemination of information on its activities to Deltans.
The State Commissioner for Information, Dr Ifeanyi Osuoza, made the pledge yesterday, Wednesday in Asaba while playing host to a delegation of Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF.
Dr Osuoza said online media outfits played pivotal roles in promptly reporting the activities of the state government, noting that the speed with which they reported events had endeared them to many Nigerians.
He said he was already used to many of the online platforms and was satisfied with their reportage, promising to carry them along in the discharge of his duties.
The Commissioner told the online publishers to feel free to contact him for clarification on any issue before publication to avoid misinforming the public, which could count against the credibility of their platforms.
Earlier, the Chairman, Delta Online Publishers Forum, DOPF, Mr Emmanuel Enebeli, on behalf of the body, congratulated Dr Osuoza on his well-deserved appointment as Information Commissioner, noting that he proved his mettle as the spokesperson of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, in the state.
Mr Enebeli said the Forum had over the years built a reputation of mutual respect with members’ business partners and associates, adding that the Ministry of Information had maintained a harmonious relationship with the Forum, which needed to be sustained.
He drew the attention of the Commissioner to the obvious marginalization of the online media in the state and urged him to address the issue, as the online newspapers were no less important in comparison to the mainstream media.
The DOPF Chairman said the organisation, with over 40 members owning reputable platforms, with all legal rights to do business in Nigeria, would desire to have a retainership arrangement with the state government, similar to those of the national electronics and print media houses, to be able to effectively report the progress of the M.O.R.E Agenda of the Oborevwori administration.
