Edo online journalists establish new association to ensure professional standards

Online journalists including other digital media practitioners in Edo state have established an association to promote professional standards.

“The umbrella body will endeavour to liaise with relevant authorities and similar bodies in sanitising the profession and promoting the welfare of practitioners,” note a statement signed by Mike Aladenika, acting chairman and Sam Ayokhai, secretary of the new body.

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The duo said the association desires to set on standards for online journalists in the Edo state to address rising cases of fake news and infuse some level of professional conducts on digital media actors.

The statement adds: “cleanse the online media profession of quacks who see the profession as an unrestricted space”, adding that its efforts will “regulate its practice in line with accepted norms and ethics

“Online news does not differ from the traditional media in terms of news sourcing and presenting, and only trained and qualified journalists conversant with the ethics and laws of the profession can effectively carry out the job.

“The umbrella body will also strive to ensure its members display a high sense of professionalism to earn the trust and patronage of the public.”