Student journalists have been urged to read books about the country and travel widely to be better equipped to understand her complex diversity that often poses a challenge to some journalists.
Editor of The Guardian, Mr. Martins Oloja, offered the advice at the Professional Forum of Students of Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ), Ogba, Lagos, on Thursday, April 30, 2015.
According to Oloja, Nigeria is much more than the three main tribes of Hausa/Fulani, Yoruba and Igbo, or the new addition, Ijaw.
“Reporters need to know these things because we’re covering a complex diversity. In order that our reporting does not cause problems, we need to understand this complex diversity. You need to have knowledge of the people you cover. So, when you get to a place, you need to study the culture on ground.
” NIJ needs to incorporate culture in its curriculum. Our culture is very complex. Journalists need to be deep to discern the tangible things. Journalists need to travel round the country to know it,” Olojo stated.
The Former Editor of the premier newspaper in Abuja also stressed the need for the trainee journalists to pay particular attention to the use of English language.
“In journalism, you should take your grammar lessons very seriously. It’s the global language of business. If you’re a broadcaster or copywriter, what will put people off is poor grammar. So, use English as used by the native speakers. The power that you wield is in the power to control the use of English language.”
He also encouraged the students to learn more about the new media which is the future of journalism.
“We’re moving from traditional media to digital journalism and we must be comprehensive. This is where citizen journalism is. For us to be part of the new world, we must reform; we must do the right thing. We must embrace digital journalism to be able to work online. This is the new world.”
Oloja also urged the students to embrace research and data analysis which according to him is needed for journalism to make impact.
“Any report that is based on research and measurable data is likely to have more impact. You need to use data or analysis to do measurable stories and nobody ever forgets their impact. But if you do not read, you cannot report or write well, and make impact.
“It’s a serious matter in journalism. People don’t like to read. People are too lazy to read. For us to excel as journalists, we must read. But what do you read? Certainly, it should not be The Richest Man in Babylon or motivational books. You need to read deep.”
NIJ Provost Gbemiga Ogunleye, said invitation of experts to speak to the students was designed to bridge the gap between the classroom and newsroom.
