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Ignore Us at Your Own Peril, Nigerian Bloggers Dare Government, Politicians | CNR



President of the Online Media Practitioners Association of Nigeria, OMPAN Comrade James Anyalekwa has challenged politicians and government at all levels to ignore the power and usefulness of bloggers and face the consequences of such action.

Mr. Anyalekwa stated this while addressing participants at the two-day National Convention of the OMPAN held at the Imo Trade and Investment Centre Owerri, the Imo state capital.

While highlighting the various contributions of bloggers in giving voice to the voiceless and exposing official corruption, the OMPAN President noted that online media owners play significant role at providing useful information to the people and setting the direction for government actions through constructive and objective criticism of government actions and inactions.

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"Today, it is no longer in question that bloggers and other online media owners are redefining the way the way information is collated and disseminated. They give voice to the voiceless and force government to action through their constructive and objective criticism.

"In many nations of the world today, Nigeria inclusive, bloggers have helped in exposing official corruption in high places and forced governments to retrace their steps on serious issues of national interest.

James Anyalekwa, OMPAN National President

He called on government at all levels to see bloggers as partners in progress, adding that anything to the contrary would put the government or politician at the receiving end.

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"Our power and influence is not in doubt as long as remain objective and truthful in our coverage and reporting of issues. As long as we carry out useful investigation before filling out our reports. As long as we realize thst we cannot exercise our rights at the expense of other persons' right.

"That is why we have all gathered here to deliberate on these issues and enlighten ourselves on the need to be professional and ethical in our newsgathering, collation and dissemination. No law provide cover for a journalist or blogger who engage in dubious activities such as character assassination, invasion of privacy, defamation, and violation of copyright."

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The OMPAN President therefore, urged bloggers to stand firm and carry out their activities professionally, adding that any government or politician who ignore the existence of bloggers does so at his own peril.

The  two-day convention which held on Friday 30th March and Saturday 31st March 2018 was well attended by bloggers and online media owners from across the country.

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