The Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP), 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.

GOCOP was initially registered as the Nigerian Online Publishers Association (NOPA) and held its inaugural meeting in Lagos on October 8 last year. It has now rebranded as GOCOP and is recognised as such by the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).

Rising from a crucial meeting in Abuja, GOCOP, in a statement issued yesterday in the nation’s capital, 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 for Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Dame Remi Oyo; the Vice Chairman of Sun Publishing Limited, Pastor Dimgba Igwe; and the Editor-in-Chief of Real News magazine, Mike Akpan, all who died recently.

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.

GOCOP called on journalists to step up the quality of their coverage of political activities as the 2015 elections draw nearer.

The Guild 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 in this season.

Over 20 members of GOCOP – among them News Express – attended the meeting.

•Photo shows aome GOCOP members.