Abimbola Otusanya of FAAJI 106.5FM, Lagos who marked her tenth broadcast journalism job anniversary offers advice for aspiring journalists and challenges on the job
Based on your experience so far, what is your advice for aspiring broadcast journalists?
Zeal is paramount in one’s quest to become a Broadcast Journalist, money shouldn’t top the list. It’s been known from time immemorial that Journalism is not about money. Be sure you have the interest before venturing into it.
- As an individual progresses on the job, know what is expected and required of you. Never assume you know it all. Ask questions, from anybody and everybody. A Newscaster, for example, has to be in sync with happenings around, verify stories received from reporters; Errors are not avoidable. Make the internet your friend. And when in doubt, leave out.
- A program anchor should never be eager to break stories on air without proper findings and verification. Ask about name pronunciations: Persons ( François Hollande, for example, I have colleagues who got under fire for this). Countries and Cities (Sao Tome and Principle), the list is endless.
- Seek knowledge in your field, always. Where affordable and available, get professional trainings, otherwise, read, read, read. Know the world evolving around you. Self-development.
- For a Newscaster, who is required to translate from English a grasp of both languages cannot be overemphasised. It is so easy to eer when you do not understand what you’re translating. And some errors on-air are unpardonable. Understand and observe the rules guiding the two languages involved in your translation. Again, ask questions.
- Do not set out to compete or be like anyone, don’t imitate your ‘idol’. Be you. You will stand out.
Apart from the supposed speech defect you got over, what have been other challenges you have had along your career journey and how did you cope?
The second question will be in many parts. Where I work presently, we multi-task. I am a Producer, a Presenter, a Newscaster, a board (console) operator. I’ll just touch on each aspect.
- As a Newscaster, my first challenge was the speed of translation within a limited time. Over the years, I learnt to double up, increase my spread without anyone running after me. As a personal rule, 30 minutes is given to translate five or six stories and rehearse. Sometimes, it exceeds but most times, I work within the time frame. It also took me time to learn breath control on the air.
- I have had few episodes of gaffe on air because I do not hesitate to ask questions. Always.
- As a presenter, getting materials for weekly presentation is tasking, sometimes you run the risk of treating a topic someone else treated a few days ago, it has happened to me, I had to subtly change my topic immediately my attention was drawn. And I was on air already. That is why you must always be creative and open to ideas and counsel, even when on the MIC.
- I research and read a lot, anything and everything to stay atop my game. I draw inspiration from a thousand and one things.
- I have not been exposed to enough trainings as much as I would love.
- As a board operator/studio manager, dealing with different kinds of people on a daily basis can be exhausting. People do not like rules. I have learnt to be firm, flexible, diplomatic, harsh, and friendly but never bending in the wrong direction.
- Of course, financial challenges cannot be overlooked, but love for what I do has kept me going.
