The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers, the umbrella body of owners of online news websites in Nigeria, has resolved to forge a partnership with the Nigerian Copyright Commission for the protection of intellectual property.
Rising from its meeting in Abuja,
GOCOP, in a statement on Tuesday, vowed to work with the NCC “to properly
articulate steps to take in protecting the intellectual property of writers”.
GOCOP, in the statement signed by
its President, Malachy Agbo, and General Secretary, Dotun Oladipo, said its
decision stems from the flagrant abuse of the properties of writers, especially
journalists.
The Guild said this should begin
with journalists exhibiting professionalism in their day-to-day activities,
with giving credit to source (s) of information at the top of it.
The Guild also commiserated with the
nation, the executive committee and members of the Nigerian Guild of Editors,
co-workers and family members of former presidential spokeswoman and former
Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Remi Oyo; the Vice Chairman of
Sun Publishing Limited, Dimgba
Igwe; and the Editor-in-Chief of Real News
magazine, Mike Akpan, all who died recently.
While it wished the departed souls
eternal and blissful rest, it also prayed to God to grant those affected by
their departure the fortitude to bear the loss.
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.
The Guild called on journalists to
step up the quality of their coverage of political activities as the 2015
elections draw nearer.
It urged journalists not to 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 this season.Over 20 members of GOCOP attended
the meeting.
Source: www/premiumtimesng.com
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