The Osun Online Publishers Association, (OOPA) has commemorated with Alhaji Mohammed Idris Malagi, on his appointment as Minster of Information and National Orientation by President Bola Tinubu.
In a congratulatory letter sent to the Minister, jointly by the Chairman and Secretary, Jare Tiamiyu and Hammed Tajudeen respectively, the group described the appointment of the Minister as a round peg in a round hole.
The Online Publishers support the move to regulate online media practice, but urged the minister not gag the media. It recommended that a tripartite committee comprising of the government, regulators and practitioners will help in bringing needed sanity into the sector.
“The above named association based in Osun state wishes to congratulate you on your appointment as the Minister of Information and National Orientation under the government of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. We wish you and your principal success as you run the affairs of the country.
“As a responsible association with members who engage in daily online news publishing in Osun State and beyond, this association is giving its full support to your ministry’s quest to regulate Nigeria’s social media space against fake news, hate speech and misinformation. Our avowed commitment stemmed from our experiences and most recently, how the media led to communal clash between Ilobu and Ifon-Osun, both in our State earlier in the month of October, 2023”
“However, we urge your office not to see regulation of the space as a sole government affair. A tripartite committee of government, regulatory body and practitioners like us will be more effective and acceptable to all and sundry, if set up to fashion out the mode of regulation.”
The Osun Online Publishers Association also expressed readiness to take the working relationship with the ministry to a greater level.
“Also, members of this association as stakeholders who understand the nitty-gritty of social media are open to a working relationship with your ministry and are ready to contribute their wealth of experience in order to regulate the social media space.”
“The association will be glad if the correspondence is given favorable consideration as we look forward to a positive response”.
