The Ekiti State Online Media Chapel of Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), has demanded due recognition from Governor Biodun Oyebanji’s administration.
The 6-man team led by the Chairman, Comrade Ayodele Abere made the demand on wednesday during a courtesy visit to the Special Assistant on New Media to the Governor, Mr. Tosin Adara, in his office in Ado-Ekiti, the State capital.
Comrade Abere who opined that Online Media has become the future of Journalism said, there’s need to be accorded due recognition by the present administration as being done to their colleagues in both print and electronic media.
He noted that Online Media has become a viable and fastest platform with widest audience to herald the activities of government, especially news when compared to other media.
In his words, “Online Media Chapel has become the most hardworking chapel. We have been projecting activities of Governor Oyebanji in a good light despite this,
we are not getting the due recognition we deserve from him.
“You may find it difficult to believe that none of our members had ever been invited to any government activities ever since Governor Biodun Oyebanji assumed office yet all members of the chapel covers his activities even more than the traditional media.
“Online media should also be treated fairly like others . We shouldn’t be seen as inferior because we are all professional journalists and not a mere bloggers as being perceived by the laymen out there”. Adding that the new constitution of Nigeria Union of Journalists now recognises three main genres of journalism which are; Online, Print and electronic media.
“The previous administrations in the State provided office accomodation for other chapels with some other logistics and a befitting bus to ease their mobility”. We will appreciate if Governor Oyebanji can extend same gesture to the Online Chapel. Said Comrade Abere.
“We have come to channel our agitations to the Governor through you being the SA on New Media so that something urgent would be done”.
In his response, the SA new Media, Mr.Tosin Adara, appreciated the Team for the visit, saying he’s aware of the challenges the Chapel is encountering.
While assuring them of his support, he pledged to relay the complaints to the Governor for necessary action.
“I am more aware of the situation of the Online Media, especially from the angle of recognition.
“I want you to have an assurance that there is no how I will be successful in this office without you and God.
“New Media is not an office where you come and just write stories, it goes beyond all of that. I am part of you and I will always like to do something that would promote the interest of the members.
“I want you to know that I have your best interest in heart, likewise the Governor.
“Sometimes, when you talk to people about new media, they thought is just to post stories on the social media but it goes beyond that.
“I am giving my assurance that I will try my best to let the Governor aware of your Plights and you will hear from him as soon as possible.
“We are working towards having some programmes that would further promote the State and we shall budget slots for the Online Media.”