OGHENETEJIRI NYERHOVWO
Journalists have been tasked to delve into reportage that will effect societal development as well as proffer solutions to problems.
This was part of discuss at a Mastermind Media Pro workshop organised by multi-award-winning journalist and author of Distortion, Lady Ejiro Umukoro put together by LightRay Media in Effurun, Uvwie Local Government Areaof Delta state for practising Journalists in the area.
Some issues discussed at the workshop included identifying the gaps in the media, why they exist, what can be done to address them and ways practitioners can collaborate to boost the profession and ensure its pride of place as the fourth estate of the realm.
The brainstorming session saw responses to posers, as well as exchange of ideas among about 20 journalists drawn from Warri, Sapele and Ughelli areas of the state.
They identified insecurity, inadequate training, poor renumeration and welfare package as well as disrespect and intimidation of practitioners as challenges to practising journalism in Nigeria.
Speaking on the steps journalists can take to fill the gaps, a female journalist, Omamuzo Efidhere opined that colleagues can team up to form questionnaires, when one of them is opportune to interview a notable figure.
According to Efidhere, what way, a wider scope of issues maybe addressed and perhaps, for the betterment of the society.”
Others suggested collaboration among colleagues, especially in the sharing of reports, honesty and brotherliness.
Lady Umukoro, he organiser of the workshop and chief executive of LightRay Media explained that it was a give back initiative in commemoration of the trainer and mentor’s contribution in the media and journalism space.
Lady Umukoro urged journalists across Delta state to pursue solutions and developmental journalism so as to carve a niche for themselves in the media world.
She also encouraged newsmen to grab opportunities to train and self-develop in order to boost their reporting skills.
