Media entrepreneurs have been enjoined to brace up for emerging challenges in the media industry, including disruptions and changing societal needs.
Media professionals made the call at a two-day workshop organised by Africa Foundation for Young Media Professionals in Lagos on Thursday.
They warned that the disruptions in the industry had no expiry date, hence the need to face the challenges headlong if the media industry must remain vibrant.
At the workshop, Deputy Editor, Sunday Title, THISDAY Newspapers Group, Mr. Festus Akanbi made presentation on “Idea, Creativity, Building for Stress in the Media Industry.”
Akanbi, a facilitator at the programme, charged the participants “to continue to innovate and create the right content for their news content consumers if their media houses must remain vibrant and respect.”
A senior Manager with Microsoft Nigeria, Jacquelyn Ekwueme in her session on “Media and Technology, the Future of Media” encouraged the audience to follow the trend and changes in technology, and master its use to become better professionals instead of giving up because of the constant disruptions.
Ekwueme explained that if well managed, technology could become an advantage not a burden to the media industry.
Another facilitator, Lekan Otufodurin who taught “Ethics, Professionalism: What is missing today” did not hide his disdain for the unethical conduct 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”.
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 the pandemic as well as challenges and opportunities presented by technology”.
The 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 build a virile and agile organization” Yinka Olaito said.
