Think Outside The Box: Ann Godwin Advises Rivers Journalists.

 

Journalists in Rivers State have been charged to think outside the box to remain relevant in the  global world even after retirement.

The bureau Chief of the Guardian Newspapers in Port Harcourt and Executive Director Step-up for women initiative Mrs Ann Godwin gave the charge at a one day workshop organized by the Nigeria Union of Journalist Rivers State Council in line with its twenty twenty four Press week in Port Harcourt.

Mrs Ann Godwin who spoke on the topic "Blogging and Content Creation for Journalists noted that the world is evolving each day, hence, the need for  journalists  to constantly improve their skills to remain relevant.

Ann Godwin urged Journalists to always show presence in the social media platforms, which according to her  is key to staying relevant.

She said  it is important to create quality contents so as to capture the target audience, while highlighting the qualities of a good content creator as.

"Ability to tell good stories, critical thinking, innovative, inquisitiveness and a good knowledge of editing and video graphing tools"

The Executive Director SWIJ who said fact checking is key to good content creation, stated that consistency, passion,  ability to locate target audience as well as suitable platform would help journalists grow in the area of content creation and blogging.

In his own presentation, a renowned Journalist and Bureau Chief of Business Day in Port Harcourt, Ignatius Chukwu  who spoke on "Casting News Headline urged Journalists to study segments of journalism practice to improve themselves.

Ignatius Chukwu decried the use of misleading, fraudulent and sensational headlines by journalist saying it is unprofessional.

On his own part, a veteran journalist with the Tide Newspaper, Mr Boye Salau in his presentation on Ethical Reporting explained that ethics helps media professionals and organizations distinguish between good and bad reportage.

Mr Boye Salau stated that for the sake of the public's interest it is  important for journalists to always observe  the ethics of the  journalism profession.

He however, highlighted what constitutes ethical Reporting such as "truth, objectivity and impartiality, transparency and accountability as well as integrity and independence"

Earlier, in his opening remarks, the Chairman NUJ Rivers State Council, Stanley Job Stanley said it it important for journalists to learn, unlearn and relearn 

Participant at the workshop expressed satisfaction with the presentation of the resources persons, describing them as seasoned journalists who know their onion in the journalism profession.

Highlight of the workshop was presentation of certificates to the participants.