The chairman of Daily Trust Foundation, Alhaji Bilya Bala, has urged journalists to acquire multimedia skill sets that will keep them relevant in the industry in 21st century.
Bala who was represented by Malam Umar Addullahi, a board member of the foundation, stated this o Monday during the opening session of a three-day workshop on multimedia journalism organised by the foundation in Abuja.
He said, “Journalists who do not have relevant skills or who cannot cope with multiple demands are being phased out of Journalism. This workshop is meant to, as much as possible, build in you the capacity to do these and more.
“When we talk about Multimedia Journalism, we are delving into the concept of media convergence – what had been a distinction between print, radio and television journalism is lost in the marriage of the various media. In today’s world, digital facilities and the Internet have pulled down the walls that separated the various media, leading to what is now fashionably called multimedia newsroom.”
Alhaji Bala tasked journalists to be multi- tasking by acquiring skills in different aspect of the profession so as to keep up with trends in the profession.
He said, “In today’s media and journalism ecosystem, it is a dinosaur in the field who would tag himself a print journalist, a television reporter, or a radio correspondent. As legacy media have given way for multi-media, the onus rests on journalists to acquire new skills set, discipline, and attitudes to be relevant in the journalism profession.”
He urged them to be focused and take advantage of the training so as go back to their respective medium better than they came.
“We have brought together experts in the field of New Journalism to take you through at no cost to you. We encourage you to pay attention, learn as much as possible and, most importantly, put what you will learn to practice. New skills are difficult to acquire. But we have discovered that digital platforms have in-built tutorials. If you labour, perspire and work hard at it, in no time you will be very skillful and relevant in your chosen profession. I, therefore, encourage you never to give up,” he said.
