Damilare Famuyiwa, Content expert last Saturday held a media training on Thriving as a journalist in the world of new media. The former reporter with The Nation, Thenet.ng, Nairametrics, Pulse Nigeria and Max Mag shares the major highlights of his presentation during the training held on WhatsApp.
We started the training by explaining in details what new media is all about, with reference to a quote by Publisher of Sahara Reporters, Omoyele Sowore that “ Journalism is not changing, it has changed, it’s you that has not changed,” to underscore the need for every journalist to get used to the new way of practising journalism.
The training exposed participants to the things journalists are not paying attention to which are the basis of new media journalism practice.
While the new media revolution has led to budget cuts and layoffs, particularly during this lingering COVID-19 period, some new media practice has created new opportunities for telling stories in non-traditional ways. These changes are also altering the media landscape.
I explained to participants that more than ever, to remain a journalist, they need to have to master new skills and show how they can help their newsrooms navigate the challenges they’re undergoing.
My key suggestions were as follows:
*Developing new skills – I feel journalists need to understand that it is important to continually get new skills to be marketable. We need to learn to adapt to changing technology and the evolving needs of our audiences. A quote from the Executive Editor for the Financial Times Lyndsey Jones buttressed my point: —- “We’re not only going to demand that you write well for online and print, but we also want you to be able to present live at events. You may even need to present in a foreign language if you work at the FT. You have to take yourself out of your comfort zone and learn new skills.”
I advised that amongst the many skills journalists can learn are -Programming, social media, Search engine optimization, content marketing, graphics, video editing and video shooting.
*Have a niche: The need for finding a niche as a new media journalist cannot be overemphasized. We can also say it’s narrowcasting, which simply means targeting specific audiences. In a new media world where there are a lot of distractions and limited time for members of the public to consume information, you need to explore niche journalism, which has increasingly gained relevance in recent times.
I noted that the concept of niche journalism has become relevant as the result of the shift from mass to personalised content preference, owing to the popularity of online social networks. It is important to note that as media platforms now look for ways to increase their relevance, value and ways to drive revenue sources.
Niche journalism presents a marketable opportunity for journalists to create content that individuals cannot find elsewhere.
During the training, I referred to selected news media outfits that have explored this concept. They include *Dataphyte*, *Eelive*, *Proshare*, *Nairametrics*, and *Stears Business*. These platforms were recently established and have significantly grown in their short period of existence.
Most importantly, I explained that as a journalist, when you have little or no resources to kick start whatever journalism idea you find interesting, focusing on a niche is necessary, as it will not only increase your value but position you as an authority in a chosen field.
While many people think journalism is no longer lucrative, I noted that we have journalists who are enjoying this profession and having the best of it. The likes *Motolani Alake* of the *Pulse* who’s a music journalist are good examples; *Kalu Aja*, a highly revered freelance journalist covering the financial sector is another niche person we note.
*Develop your style: I explained to participants that new media journalists need to develop their own style of reporting. I believe it enhances and compliments niche journalism. This will make us stand out. For instance, I have monitored *Joey Akan* of Afrobeats Intelligence closely, and I can say that he’s one of the best niche journalists in the country. He has a special style of reporting his celebrity interviews, and it has set him apart among his peers.
Another good example to note is *Adeola Fayehun* formerly of Sahara Reporters. We can learn amazing things from these people and whatever we learn from them can enhance our brand as journalists. They have been able to develop their styles and it has attracted audiences to them.
*Collaboration: I also encouraged collaboration among journalists. I noted that one of the many reasons why we have unprofitable media houses is lack of collaboration among journalists and mediapreneurs. Everybody wants to become a publisher without a defined strategy of how to grow the business and make it profitable.
I believe we all need to seek collaboration and to take advantage of the available opportunities in the media landscape.