A veteran journalist and Executive Director, Media Career Development Network (MCDN), Mr Lekan Otufodunrin has advised young media professionals to learn the fundamentals of journalism and be technologically compliant to thrive in today’s media industry.
He gave the advice during the Ogun State Campus Journalism Summit organized by The Press Club, Moshood Abiola Polytechnic.
The Summit which had in attendance over 50 students from various tertiary institutions in Ogun state was organized to encourage students in taking giant strides in the profession and enlighten the students about the rudiments of journalism while opening them to diverse opportunities in the media industry.
Otufodunrin who was the guest lecturer spoke on the theme: Modern Journalism: Moving Away from the Norm.
He encouraged students to master the norms before moving beyond to explore other forms of journalism such as Fact-Checking, Solutions, Investigative, Data and Digital Journalism.
“Going beyond the norm means you must not be satisfied with being a local journalist but one that keeps abreast of new development globally in the profession, belong to the right network and can collaborate to cross-border reporting.
“Moving beyond the norm means not waiting till you graduate before utilizing skills you are learning to make necessary impact in the industry. Your ambition should not be only seeking jobs in the media but coming up with media start-up ideas that can challenge the status quo, ” Otufodunrin stated.
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On technological trends in the society, the veteran journalist said, “You must change if you want to continue to be relevant in the profession and the change in this context is not what journalism is about, it is about the process and the tools used to perform the task expected of journalism.”
In his contribution, a top broadcaster and a Media Executive, Omoluabi Victor Eniola Mar urged students who are passionate about the media profession to endeavour to have a second address that will help them to remain financially and professionally balanced as journalism isn’t a very lucrative profession.
“Having a second address that brings money to one makes one not to consider taking brown envelopes which is against the ethics of the profession,” he said.
Also speaking at the occasion was the Head of Station, Sweet 107.1 FM, Laurah Norah who advised the students to maintain a high level of creativity and continuity to succeed in the media industry.
The Summit recorded the OCJS Award 2021 where meritorious campus journalists were presented with awards in their different categories.
The Club also launched The Fact Magazine after eight years of last publication.
