ASABA/Nigeria: The 2025 Annual Retreat of the Delta Online Publishers Forum (DOPF) was on Wednesday with the induction of twelve new members, reinforcing the Forum’s expanding influence in Delta State’s digital media landscape. The ceremony, which took place at the conference hall of the State Ministry of Information, brought together online publishers, media scholars, and communication experts for a day of engagement, learning, and professional renewal.
Administering the oath of commitment, the Forum’s Secretary, Mr. Shedrack Onitsha, charged the inductees to embrace the responsibilities that come with joining a reputable body committed to ethical and credible online journalism. Welcoming the new members, DOPF Chairman, Mr. Emmanuel Enebeli, urged them to uphold the values of accuracy, professionalism, and active participation, stressing that membership was not symbolic but a call to duty. He warned against weaponising online platforms for attacks or publishing unverified stories, noting that inactive members risk review and possible sanctions.
Speaking on behalf of the inductees, the publisher of Eagle News Online and former Chairman of the NUJ, Delta State Council, Mr. Osita Biosa, expressed deep gratitude for the opportunity to join the Forum. He assured that the new members would uphold the organisation’s standards and work collectively to promote DOPF across the state. “For accommodating us, we will do the needful. We will promote DOPF across Delta State and uphold the standards expected of us,” he said.
The retreat featured two thought-provoking lectures delivered by industry experts, Mr. Philip Enu Nwossu and Prof. Presley Obukoadata. Nwossu, speaking on “Artificial Intelligence and the Future of Public Communication and Governance in Nigeria,” examined the growing impact of AI on information flow, transparency, policy accountability, and civic engagement. Prof. Obukoadata, on his part, discussed “Integrating Artificial Intelligence into Journalism, Media Practice and Civic Development,” highlighting the transformative potential of AI in news production, investigative reporting, and digital civic discourse. He, however, cautioned publishers about the ethical risks, misinformation, and inherent biases in AI systems.
Breakout sessions held after the lectures provided participants the opportunity to discuss practical ways AI could be integrated into digital journalism and governance in Delta State. Members proposed capacity-building programmes, AI-powered fact-checking systems, and structured frameworks to improve content verification and enhance public trust.
The induction ended with a renewed pledge from both existing and new members to strengthen responsible journalism and uphold the Forum’s reputation as a leading advocate of credible, ethical, and professional online publishing in Delta State and beyond.
