There are no significant changes except there is a deliberate and intention investment in such desire. Every object remains in its static form until a higher force is applied is a popular cliché. This is the rationale that drives Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals (AFYMP) which is established with a purpose to transform Africa media landscape but a constant empowerment with the right skills of the next generation and early career journalists/broadcasters across the nation and the continent.
For about a year now, the “Reporting for Impact” workshop had been organized for several next generations, early career journalists, The essence is to instil the best practices in storytelling which entails purpose, news gathering, data, fact checking, marketing and news impact measurement. On Saturday 24th February, 2024, it was the turn of Olabisi Onabanjo University Campus Mirror newsroom which is a students’ led media organization in the school.
The programme started with welcome address by the Editor-in-chief of the organization, Abdullahi Salaudeen who appreciated the efforts of AFYMP and its determination to build a virile media sector across the continent. According to him “It is noteworthy to see AFYMP’s commitment to this goal over the years, we can only hope that this initiative will be supported by relevant development organizations”.
The training session was facilitated by Yinka Olaito, Executive director of AFYMP, who emphasised among others that journalists should not seek fame but to be catalysts of good governance and society. He went further to charge the participants to be wary of spreading fake news and ensure they do their due-diligence before rushing to publish.
In addition to the above, Yinka Olaito also encouraged the participants to be a good observer of their environment, conscious of unconscious biases that may reflect in their writings, be objective and neutral as well as follow all professional ethics if they really mean to be outstanding in the field.
The occasion also served as an induction ceremony for new inductees of the associations who are 10 in number, which comprises 5 males and 4 females.
Some of the newly inducted Journalists
Some of the participants in a group photograph
The following are clips and feedback from the training.
You can also view Campus mirror Coverage of the event here