Journalists take lessons on digital reporting

Some journalists from Kumba, Buea and Limbe have been drilled on techniques of incorporating information and communication technologies in the discharge of their duties; be it in the print, radio or TV broadcast sectors.

The ICT-in-journalism training came under focus during a workshop that was organised by the Public Affairs Division of the United States Embassy in Cameroon. The 2-day seminar which started on August 6, took place at the conference hall of Holiday Inn Hotel Limbe and was aimed at equipping journalists with skills that will help them remain competitive in an ever-changing media landscape and relevant to the growing networked audience.

Speaking during the seminar, the information officer at the US Embassy in Cameroon, Timothy Lewis noted that traditional media such as print, radio, and television have been significantly transformed with the advent of new ICT tools. “Cameroon media outlets are gradually integrating such tools into their operations’, Lewis averred, adding that the role of ICTs in journalism should not be underestimated.

One of the facilitators, Takahashi Corey; journalist/multimedia producer and professor at Syracuse University’s New House School in America, for his part, highlighted that the prime objective of the seminar was to show what is out prevailing, based on new tools like Google glass, laptop amongst other media as well as get opinion on the usage of different tools and what can be done to improve them.

Though internet accessibility still appears to be a hurdle to African journalists, the expert was optimistic that things would change because technology gets better and cheaper over time.

The US trainer drilled attendees on storyboard and the advantages of using ICT in modern day journalism. A case in point was how to reach the world instantly. Here, Takahashi reiterated that there is no border limitation and the publishing software is free.

It is worth noting that in journalism, ICTs offer alternative forms of communication that increase the opinion base represented in the public sphere and provide cost-efficient platforms for a diversity of views.

At the end of the seminar, the US Embassy information officer told pressmen that the seminar will enable journalists to better contribute in their media environment since Cameroon and the world is fast becoming digital. “It doesn’t matter whether equipments are available or not. Training journalists is of outmost priority”, he added. Lewis disclosed the embassy looks forward to a generation of Cameroonian journalists who are apt at working in a digital environment.