Spiritual and professional tips on how to seek new horizons for media practice were offered at the Lagos monthly fellowship on Saturday, January 19.
Journalists for Christ fellowship International Outreach, Lekan Otufodunrin gave the counsel why speaking on the theme of the meeting.
“More than professional things to do, we must pray, seek divine direction and read and meditate of the words of God,” Otufodunrin stated.
According to him, Christian journalists should more than ever before pray about how to survive the digital disruption of traditional media practice.
“ Prayer is not only the key, but it is also the master key to know exactly what to do as we seek divine direction and not be carried away by what we think is right or what others are doing.
“ The Bible says there is a way that seemed right, but it may lead to destruction. We must continuously read and meditate on the word of God which has answers to all issues of life,” Otufodunrin said.
According to him, “the assurance we have in the Bible is that we should ask and we shall be given, seek and we shall find. Additionally, the Bible says if anyone lacks wisdom, he or she should ask from God who gives liberally.”
Quoting from Genesis 13: 14-15, Otufodunrin also stated that God’s promise is that he will give us as far as our eyes can see.
“What we need to do is to pray that God will open our eyes of understanding to see the wondrous things he can give us the grace to excel in in the industry”
Professionally, Otufodunrin who was former Managing Editor of The Nation Newspaper stressed the need for journalists to master the use of new media tools which according to him offer various opportunities for utilizing traditional media skills.
Beyond the usual writing and broadcasting content, Otufodunrin noted that there are other options for being media professionals like launching websites, content writing, multi-media production, niche experts and advocacy.
He cited example of journalists who are excelling in alternative media practice beyond the newsroom.
They include:
- Award-winning journalist and Chevening Scholar Folashade Adebayoformerly of The Punch now Founder and Team Lead of @com
- Former Editor of Sun Newspaper, Steve Nwosu and former colleagues launched a newspaper @Theexpressng against all odds
- Hannah Ojoof The Nation on leave of absence as ICFS Truth Buzz Fellow to tackle misinformation in Nigeria
- Five years on Betty Abah, award-winning journalist and Gender Advocate is excelling in Advocacy as ED Cee-Hope Nigeriawhich recently attracted coverage from BBC London
- Bosede Esther Olusola-Obasaformerly of The Punch now an acclaimed Character Development Specialist
- Many traditional journalists now running their websites
- New Radio and TV stations offer opportunities for independent media production and programmes.
- Funmi Oyatogun who grew Twitter followership from 300 to 14,500 in 10 months! Her visual data stories & articles have been featured on CNN, BBC & more! She has provided travel/tourism consultation to small companies & big countries!
Otufodunrin said journalists have no option than to become innovative in their media practice considering the dwindling fortunes of traditional media organisations in the country.
“We can’t continue to practice journalism the same way we have been practicing journalism for ages in a digital change and expect to make enough revenue required by both organisations and individual professionals,” Otufodunrin stated.
He said why technology will not replace the traditional skills of journalism, journalists must come up with new concepts and ideas that will make them to continue to remain relevant in the business of information dissemination.
