For media start-ups and media entrepreneurs within Nigeria and Africa, it is time to brace up for the challenges of the day. The disruptions in the industry have no expiry date hence a need to face the challenges headlong if the media industry must remain vibrant.
The above and many others were the position of experts who facilitated a two-day workshop organized by Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals in Lagos between Wednesday July 5 and Thursday July 6, 2023.
According to the executive director Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals, Yinka Olaito, “The event was put together to prepare media start-ups and media entrepreneurs for the challenges ahead. The media industry like any other is facing untold challenges occasioned by pandemic as well as challenges and opportunities presented by technology”.
Media industry of today is totally different from what we used to have. A non-viable media organization is open to media capture hence a need to builds virile and agile organization” Yinka Olaito said.
Festus Akanbi, deputy editor of THISDAY newspaper, a facilitator who thought on “Idea, creativity, building for the stress” charged the participants “To continue to innovate and create right content for their news content consumers if their media houses must remain vibrant”.
Jacquelyn Ekwueme, a senior Manager with Microsoft Nigeria during her session on “Media and Technology, the future of media” encouraged the audience to follow the trend and changes in technology, master its use to become better professionals instead of giving up because of the constant disruptions. If well managed technology can become an advantage not a burden to the media industry”.
Some participants at the workshop with a facilitator-Lekan Otufodunrin
David Afolayan, another facilitator, on his part said “in today’s world, numbers may count but cash inflow will only keep the business going”. David said “Media industry has an untold opportunity today if actors can master the trade and become adept in customer-centric value proposition which prompts news consumers ‘willingness to pay for value they are deriving.”
Another facilitator, Lekan Otufodurin who taught “Ethics, Professionalism: What is missing today” did not hide his disdain for unethical conducts of some so-called journalists who do not prioritize professionalism. Lekan Otufodurin wants the audience to distinguish themselves and their media houses by being professional in all they do”.
At the end of the event participants who were drawn across Africa expressed their delights for such an enriching professional event which empowered them to become the best.
The participants also expressed their heartfelt gratitude for organizing such a professional enriching workshop at no cost to them.