BY AUSTIN OYIBODE
In today’s digital age, the role of online publishers cannot be overemphasized. Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State must recognize this reality if he is to maintain a credible and responsive image before the people he serves. Marginalizing or ignoring online publishers—who represent the most dynamic segment of modern media—is a strategic misstep that can erode public trust and weaken his administration’s communication machinery.
Online publishers have become the heartbeat of contemporary news dissemination. With the proliferation of smartphones and the internet, the public consumes news primarily through digital platforms. These journalists break stories in real-time, provide on-the-ground coverage, and often serve as the first point of contact between government actions and public reactions. Neglecting them sends a message that the government is either out of touch with reality or intentionally avoiding accountability.
Governor Oborevwori must also understand that online media shapes public opinion faster and more widely than traditional outlets which are gradually becoming obsolete or moribund. A single unfavorable headline or social media post, if left unaddressed, can snowball into crisis.
Conversely, cultivating a professional relationship with online publishers allows for fair coverage, prompt clarification of misinformation, and a channel to highlight government achievements.
In an era when even international governments use blogs to communicate policy directives, it is counterproductive for any state government to sideline online publishers who can amplify its work to a wider audience.
For Oborevwori, the choice is clear: engage with online publishers as partners in governance or face a communication gap that could truncate seeming progress made, if any. The governor should view online publishers as a critical bridge to the people. Proactive engagement, open access, and media-friendly policies can turn them into allies who could help amplify his administration’s impact and gain public confidence.
Governor Oborevwori’s media handlers must make him realize this and guide him going forward. Tactically shying away from interfacing with online publishers may not be the best for the state government at this time.
In governance, perception is as powerful as performance. Governor Oborevwori must not gamble with either. Ignoring online journalists is not just a public relations risk—it is political peril.
