The Media Career Development Network (MCDN), with the support of the U.S. Consulate General in Lagos, hosted a workshop titled Journalism Clinic on Thursday, September 4, at the Consulate in Victoria Island, Lagos.
The training, with the theme “Multimedia Storytelling,” featured sessions facilitated by Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of MCDN; Mr. Pelu Awofeso, a Culture and travel writer and documentary filmmaker; and Ms. Titilope Fadare, Assistant Production Editor (Podcast) at SciDev.Net.
Speaking at the event, Otufodunrin emphasised the importance of career planning for journalists. He encouraged participants to set both short- and long-term goals, update their professional profiles regularly, build strong digital footprints, and embrace lifelong learning.
In his presentation, Awofeso warned against common career mistakes such as relying solely on newsroom promotions or neglecting one’s digital presence. He reminded participants that “It is never too late to plan for a career transition.” He further stressed that journalism is ultimately about people and information, urging journalists to “find stories only they can tell, stand out by going the extra mile, and ensure that their content adds value.”
Highlighting the demands of multimedia reporting, Awofeso advised journalists to move beyond text by embracing podcasts, audiograms, explainer videos, and infographics. He noted that every news story can benefit from being told in multiple formats to reach diverse audiences.
The final facilitator, Fadare, shared practical tips on video production, stressing the importance of good lighting, camera stability, quiet environments, and strategies for audience engagement. She also explained essential camera techniques such as dolly, zoom, tracking, tilt, and pan.
Fadare introduced participants to key mobile journalism tools, including tripods, power banks, lights, and microphones. She recommended apps such as CapCut, InShot, Audiolab, Media Converter, and Teleprompter, while pointing to resources like Pixabay and Pexels for free photos and videos.
The message from the training was clear: today’s journalist must be more than a writer. Developing multimedia skills and staying adaptable are essential to remaining relevant in the digital era.
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