Last October, our organization, Media Career Development Network(MCDN), devoted to offering structured career development support and programmes for journalists and the media industry in Nigeria and beyond clocked five.
Specifically, our aims and objectives at inception include the following:
*To promote excellence in media practice in Nigeria
*To organise media training and provide mentoring support for journalists and media professionals.
*To produce resource materials to enhance media career development.
*To engage in advocacy for freedom of the press in Nigeria.
* To provide a forum for the exchange of ideas, share experience, and find mutual support and guidance for media professionals.
* To protect the interest & welfare of journalists and media professionals.
Five years later, we have implemented several programmes and activities in accordance with the above goals.
We have supported many journalists, including students, to pay more attention to their career development through continuous training, coaching, and mentoring programmes along with other media support organizations.
We are glad to note that more than ever before, mentoring is being taken seriously by individual journalists and their employers.
Our yearly Nigeria Media Capacity Development Report has continued to document training programmes and resources by media support organizations and institutions for easy reference by interested professionals.
We have continued to advocate for best practices and better welfare and work conditions for journalists to have a fulfilling media career.
Our website and social media platforms have remained the go-to channels for insightful reports on media professionals, happenings in the sectors, and resources.
In the new year, we are committed to scaling up our programmes and activities to better serve journalists and media organisations.
We will continue to advocate for better conditions for journalists without which they cannot perform maximally and achieve their career goals.
Our website would have more content covering diverse issues locally and globally to help journalists keep abreast of what they should know and learn about to cope with the constantly changing media landscape.
We plan to visit media houses and schools more regularly along with our BOT members and other professionals to share relevant experiences.
Our internship programmes would be expanded to accommodate more students in conjunction with our media partners.
We welcome suggestions on how we can better serve more journalists, industry and institutions.