To excel in journalism, student journalists have been advised to be responsible and learn the necessary skills trained journalists should have beyond being able to write.
The Assistant Head of Premium Times South West Operations, Kabir Adejumo offered the advice at the Journalism Students’ Association (JSA) Day of the Lagos State University School of Communication (LASUSOC) held on the 25th of May, 2021 in the Ojo Campus of the institution.
The theme of the programme was “How young journalists can thrive in an ever-changing media landscape”
Adejumo who was the guest speaker at the occasion said it was not enough to just practice journalism, but it is necessary for them to be credible and responsible in their reporting, adding that with credibility, aspiring journalists can become great in the profession.
Explaining the distinction between being a blogger and a journalist, Adejumo who was the runner-up of the Thomson Foundation Young Journalist of the Year 2020, said journalism is more than just knowing the act of writing.
“You might have the ability to write good stories which can be natural, but still you have to polish it.
“Yes, people need to be informed, but the art of conceptualising reports is what makes you different from an ordinary blogger. A journalist doesn’t speculate, he investigates a claim and he can make solid declarations,” Adejumo stated.
He explained that the ability to conceptualise reports will distinguish a trained journalist from many individuals just churning out content.
“Content is king, context is God. Anyone can have the ability to churn out content. The reason why people read Premium Times and The Cable is that they believe they have competent hands.
“It is not enough for you to speak or write, you must be able to stand by that report,” he said emphasizing the importance of abiding by the ethics of the profession.
He also urged the students to be transparent and fearless, citing a senior colleague, Fisayo Soyombo who said “No story is worth your life but fortune locates the brave.”
Adejumo narrated his experience during his COVID-19 border story which exposed corrupt border guards receiving bribes to help people cross between Nigeria and Benin Republic, despite border closures to contain the spread of the virus.
While on that story that eventually won him the runner-up position at the Thomson Foundation, Adejumo said it was the public interest that kept him going.
“When you are convinced that what you are doing is for the interest of the public, then you will be able to achieve greatness in it,” he said.
He also advised the student journalists not to use journalism to pass time, but to take it as a profession if they want to succeed in it.
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“Challenges will come, but you have to ask yourself is this what I want to do. Let me tell you one thing, if you are practising journalism today just because you want a first-class, I will advise you just quit early enough.
“It is not a profession that you decide to quit when you are done with schooling. You must be willing to say when I am done I will become a journalism lecturer or a practising journalist,” he explained.
The Head of Department, Journalism, Dr Jide Jimoh implored the young journalists to abstain from using inciting or derogatory words in their reports.
“If you do not do extra work on yourself, your certificate will not be able to help you. Those who excel in journalism excel based on their passion,” said the HOD while motivating the students to go beyond the classroom to advance their careers.
A foremost media scholar, Dr Tunde Akanni told the students to keep reinventing themselves because the opportunities in journalism are vast.
Tiwalade Sanni, a 200 level student of LASUSOC told Media Career that the program was able to mirror journalism as a nice profession and it also encouraged her to start writing again.
“I didn’t like mass communication because it wasn’t what I wanted from the onset but I’m gradually liking it. And with some certain things that were said yesterday, I think if I put effort back up with determination I should be able to do well in this field,” she said.
The chief host of the event was the Dean of Lagos State University School of Communication, Professor Sunday Alawode, the first professor of broadcast journalism in the university, while Professor Lai Oso, the former Dean of LASUSOC also attended the programme.
The event was conceived by the executives of JSA, one of the School’s three departments to assist all students of the body and faculty with the skills to thrive in the media industry.
It also provided an avenue for these campus journalists to ask burning questions about what journalism entails.
