A Don at the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social and Management Sciences, Olabisi Onabanjo University Ago-Iwoye in Ogun State, Prof. Dele Odunlami and Olu of Ilawo, Abeokuta, Oba(Prof.) Alexander Olusegun MacGregor have stressed the need for Nigerian journalists to upgrade their skills in digital literacy and uphold ethical standards, so as to sustain their critical roles in the economic and physical growth of Nigeria
The duo gave the charge in their separate comments on Thursday in Abeokuta, during a two-day media training for 100 journalists operating in Ogun State, jointly organized by IHS and Correspondents Chapel of the Ogun State Council of Nigeria Union of Journalists led by Comrade Rasaq Ayinla
The Professor of Broadcast Journalism represented by a broadcast journalist, Dr. Jamiu Folarin of Mass Communication Department, Crescent University Abeokuta, in his presentation at the media retreat titled "Journalism:The Past, Present and Future", emphasized the importance of journalists upgrade their skills to fit into the era of digital journalism driven by Artificial Intelligence
Prof.Odunlami who is also a Dean of Faculty of Social and Management Sciences Olabisi Onabanjo University, urged journalists to begin to embrace the practice of solution journalism which involves rigorous process of data gathering and responses from the people to assist government in finding a lasting solutions particularly in health, education and critical sectors of national life
Doing this according to him, will make journalists more relevant in making those in government to be accountable and more responsive to the needs of people
Similarly, Oba MacGregor whose father was journalist attached to the United Nations in the early 60s , recalled how investigative journalism brought so much fame and accolade which opened door for business opportunities for him from government in Norway
The Olu of Ilawo said his father penchant for investigative journalism transformed the fortune of the family financially, admonishing journalists to continue to uphold high ethical standard,by speaking the truth to those in government, considering their critical role in the nation building
The monarch lauded the organizers of the media retreat, calling for more of such capacity building workshops to equip journalists to be more alive to their responsibilities of projecting the country positively to the rest of the world
The two-day retreat attracted top journalists including Managing Editor of Edu-biznews, Abdulfatai Sobande, founding editor of Penpushing, Prince Dimeji Kayode-Adedeji and that of Platform Times, Daud Olatunji amongst others
High point of the retreat included presentation of certificate of participation and gift to participants which cuts across print, radio, television and online media organizations
Chairman of the Correspondents Chapel, Comrade Rasaq Ayinla who appreciated the participants and partners in ensuring a successful retreat, promised to organize similar capacity building workshop by December to further enhance journalists' skills for a better service delivery to the society
No comments:
Post a Comment