Monday, July 03, 2017

Journalists Warned to Keep Up With Digital Trends
By Latifat Opoola
Jul 3 2017 4:02PM

It is to a journalist's peril to ignore the haste with which the media is converging Vice Chairman of Daily Trust Foundation, Alhaji Ishaq Ajibola has said.

Ajibola gave the warning on Monday during the opening session of Digital Journalism training by Press Association, London and funded by MacArtur foundation.

He said digital journalism sneaked into the media space “like a thief in the night” but has now occupied the centre stage of the business where there is almost no time to  keep up with news, unlike in the “pre internet age where newspapers were read with a cup of coffee by the side of the living room”.

“We are overwhelmed with news, fake and genuine, most of them unsolicited. We call it the era of the social media. It is to any journalists peril to ignore the haste with which the media s converging. Modern journalism has to be multimedia. Those who do not float in this wind will soon be out of the business,” he warned.

Ajibola called on participants to take advantage of the exposure to modern multimedia story telling techniques the training will provide to improve their skills.

“We must use multimedia techniques to engage in investigative reporting. We have seen it happen in developed societies. If we have good digital  reporting to complement the print edition, Daily Trust will become a better and greater brand.” he said.

He appreciated the MacArthur Foundation for the training, recalling that the first training held in the last week of April this year, was an introduction to Investigative Journalism with emphasis on Data Journalism with Infographics.

Also speaking Director, MacArthur Foundation, Africa office, Kole A. Shettima urged the participants to take full advantage of the training and use it for good purpose adding that very few have the kind of opportunity.

He also warned the journalists to always ensure they report factually  and correctly.

Mr Kole said the grant is among other the foundation is granting for the common good of the country.

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