Edet sets agenda for Osun online media as chapel visits DSS state command

In furtherance of its familiarity and partnership drive aimed at positioning the Chapel as a credible bridge between the online media space and critical stakeholders in Osun State, a delegation of the Osun NUJ Online Media Chapel, led by its Chairman, Mr. Isa Isawade, on Monday paid a courtesy visit to the Osun State Command of the Department of State Services (DSS) at its headquarters in Osogbo.

The delegation was received warmly by the Director of the Osun State DSS Command, Mr. Victor Okon Edet, FSI, along with his high management team.

Purpose of the Familiarity and Partnership Drive

The visit formed part of the chapel’s deliberate strategy to position itself for maximum functionality in fulfilling its core mandate: to serve as the officially accredited regulatory body for online journalism practitioners in Osun State with the full backing of the national body of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), and to bridge the widening chasm emanating from the misuse and abuse of the online media space.

The chapel seeks to achieve this by fostering strategic alliances with key institutions, promoting ethical reportage, and ensuring that online journalism in Osun State operates within the true tenets of the profession.

Chairman’s Remarks: The Chapel’s Origin and Agenda

After due introductions on both sides, the Chairman of the Osun NUJ Online Media Chapel, Isa Isawade, highlighted the origin and agenda of the Chapel. He explained that the Chapel was established as a veritable regulator of online journalism with the full backing of the national body of the NUJ, specifically to address the growing challenge of misinformation, disinformation, and unprofessional conduct that has characterised the online media space in recent times.

Isawade emphasised that the chapel is composed of seasoned and well-grounded professionals who are committed to the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, and ethical journalism. He noted that the chapel’s regulatory role is not punitive but corrective and developmental, designed to sanitise the online media ecosystem and restore public confidence in digital journalism.

DSS Director’s Response: Media as Fourth Estate

In his response, the Director of the Osun State DSS Command, Mr. Victor Okon Edet, expressed profound appreciation for the visit, describing it as timely and necessary.

He acknowledged the media as the Fourth Estate of the Realm of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and noted the enormous responsibility that comes with that constitutional recognition. He observed that if issues are not published or reported, they would never be known. This, he reasoned, underscores the critical role of the media as the public’s eyes and ears.

Citing the recent Ondo State alcohol consumption-related deaths as an example, he demonstrated how timely reportage can save lives and prevent further tragedies.

Erosion of Security-Media Partnership

The DSS Director lamented that over time, the partnership that should exist between the security agencies and the media had been somehow eroded, marred, or destroyed in many cases. He urged the chapel to rise to the occasion and rebuild that bridge of trust and cooperation.

DSS Under DG Oluwatosin Ajayi: Less Visibility, More Impact

Edet noted that the DSS, under the administration of its Director-General, Mr. Oluwatosin Ajayi, had been mandated to maintain less visibility, i.e to be heard but not seen. This strategic posture, he explained, is designed to allow the Service to focus on its core mandate of intelligence gathering and national security without unnecessary public attention.

Commendation on Osun Governorship Election Coverage

The Director appreciated the role the media played during the just-concluded Osun Governorship Election, lauding the spotlighting which he said had placed Osun on the radar as a case study for future elections in Nigeria. He noted that the professionalism displayed by journalists during the election contributed significantly to the relatively peaceful conduct of the exercise.

Cyber-Bullying and the Law

Edet pointed out that cyber-bullying was another scourge plaguing the online space and urged the chapel to operate strictly within the ambit of the law. He emphasized that the chapel, as a regulatory body, must ensure that its members do not become instruments of harassment or intimidation under the guise of journalism.

Registration of Practitioners Must Be Sacrosanct

He urged that proper registration of practitioners be made sacrosanct for clarity and identification. According to him, the proliferation of unregistered and unaccountable online media operators poses a serious threat to national security and public order.

Reporting on Bandits and Criminals: A Caution

The DSS Director urged that reporting be toned down on the activities of bandits and criminals so as not to give them the publicity they crave to thrive. He noted that security personnel are exposed to high risks in the course of their duties and urged that the chapel operate in the interest of national unity. He also emphasised the importance of thorough fact-checking in reporting.

Forceful Takeover of Motor Parks: A Developing Crisis

Edet pointed out that it is appalling that forceful takeovers of motor parks are taking sway in Osun State. He decried why the NURTW in the South West seems so entrenched in governance and politicking. He urged the chapel to investigate and come up with recommendation to help arrest the developing problem, suggesting lasting solutions constructively.

Illegal Mining: A Call to Investigate

He also mentioned illegal mining and charged the chapel to investigate and call out the problem and its perpetrators. He noted that illegal mining not only deprives the nation of legitimate revenue but also fuels insecurity and environmental degradation.

Promise of Support and Collaboration

The Director promised adequate support and collaboration with the chapel, assuring that the DSS would work closely with the chapel to ensure that online journalism in Osun State operates within the bounds of the law and in the interest of national security.