Call for Applications from Newsrooms in Uganda: Digital & Data-Driven Journalism Skills Training
Better Tools for Better News: Why pay attention to digital journalism
According to Africa News, 4.021 billion people across the world have access to the internet as of 2018, with Africa’s internet usage increasing by 20% over the last year. This only means that more people are gaining access to a wider world of information beyond their own horizon.
From in-built news apps on our smartphones tailored just for our taste to telecom companies popularizing the “Get the latest updates” by USSD, the notion that more people are inclined to accessing news digitally over buying a newspaper easily unfolds daily.
Let’s dive into a simple comparison here; with 1000 UGX one can afford an average of 60 Mbs and will get access to information across 4 newspaper sites(exclude ads on social media), that on average would cost 1500 Ugx each in print. We see someone saving 5000 UGX and not to imagine how much knowledge bases and comparisons that can be accessed, interactive infographics viewed, live feeds and video tours viewed.
Speaking of digital journalism, what do we mean exactly:
A definition by Wikipedia: Digital journalism also known as online journalism is a contemporary form of journalism where editorial content is distributed via the Internet as opposed to publishing via print or broadcast.”
According to The Student world “People can use the internet to access news and events 24 hours a day. They also like to fit their reading into busy lives, so content is shorter than it used to be: Articles are not as long, GIFs can be glanced at in a few seconds and places such as the BBC now offer 15-second snippets of longer interviews.”
It is important to note that the major distinction between digital journalism and citizen journalism is that the former is a full blow industry that uses journalists and professionals as opposed to the latter that uses anyone who can access a digital device to share a story they deem important.
2018, What’s Hot?
It is 2018, we grab and digest every story as it unfolds, it is time for media houses to take advantage of this and give the most informative stories while using different tools that can elaborate and advance their digital journalism skills.
There is a lot of news around data, reports, investigations, fact-checking and it gets tougher to communicate this in a generation that won’t spend more than 30 seconds reading your tweet or facebook post without clicking a picture or link for more.
Infographics, data, evidence-driven, and fact-checking journalism is at the helm of keeping digital journalism alive by providing informative graphics that your audience will use to consume so much information in the shortest time possible.
Three reasons why media houses need to embrace digital journalism training
The nature of news consumption on the internet: The internet is a dynamic place that accommodates people from different demographic backgrounds. Media houses need to address how each of these groups consumes information especially when it is targeted at them. Digital Journalism covers how information can be constructed and tailored for a target group, it also takes into account analytics around the new reach.
Media houses have a huge role to play in distinguishing themselves and their journalists from citizen journalists. Citizen journalism can easily overtake digital journalism if the right tools are not taken into account and utilized by media houses. Under a combined and commercial effort, media houses have the capability to stand out from just being mere citizen reporters by using providing articulate and carefully wrangled information to their followers.
The growth of all-round journalists: A great place to work is a place that provides both a serving and learning experience in one package. In order to continue breeding a better generation of journalists, media houses ought to invest in equipping their journalists with skills they would otherwise not be found in a traditional curriculum setting. This will set them apart and elevate the quality of work they do on a global level.
Seize the Opportunity Here!
Pollicy in Collaboration with Code For Africa is conducting digital journalism skills training for the year 2018/2019.
Your media house could be among the chosen few to receive digital training and be part of the media houses receiving this training across 12 major countries in Africa.
Are you interested? Do you know anyone this could benefit?
Send us an email at info@pollicy.org explaining why you would like to be a part of this program, including the size of your team and available time commitments.
Written by Lorna Maria A, Data Lead at @Pollicy
