The Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies (FoJMS) at the Institute of Journalism (IJ) at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) has partnered with the Multimedia Group Ltd. to bring practical journalism experience to the lecture rooms. This ongoing collaboration between the Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies and the Multimedia Group is to drive groundbreaking initiatives that will transform the teaching, learning, and research of Journalism and Media Studies.
Recently, the first in the series of the Guest Lecturing by the Multimedia Group, saw star-studded guest lecturers in the persons of the General Manager of the Multimedia Group, Fiifi Koomson; the Channel Manager of Joy News, Kwaku Owusu Peprah and the celebrated Investigative Journalist, Manasseh Azure Awuni invited to speak to the level 200 Broadcast News Writing Class on the fundamentals of Journalism practice. Each of the Guest Lecturers took turns to share personal experiences about their professional experience.
Mr. Koomson encouraged students to sharpen their research and investigative skills in order to set themselves up for success in the field. He said it was incumbent on the reporter to search for relevant information supporting their story themselves and not rely on others. Mr. Koomson stressed the need for reporters to have ample editing skills so as to refine their stories before forwarding them to the editors. These skills, he explained included mastery of the use of digital tools to compile story packages. He stated bluntly that, “the fact of the matter is that if you don’t have certain skills, you’ll fail as a journalist. First of all, you must have research and investigative skills and you should be able to search for information yourself.”
For his part, ace journalist, Kwaku Owusu Peprah underscored the need for journalists to demonstrate professionalism by working hard. He shared that, he has observed that journalism as a profession, had a place for independent and critical thinkers possessing ‘the ability to smell what news is!’ He admonished the students by saying that, “Journalism is a difficult career, some of you will do it and you’ll fail. Laziness is one of the reasons you won’t succeed; so, work hard and you’ll succeed.”
The award-winning Investigative Journalist, Mannaseh Azure Awuni, called on students to take advantage of internship programs while in school, adding that they could learn a lot on job even before they complete their four-year program. He made this in the statement that, “don’t wait and graduate before you start looking for a job. If you want to excel as a journalist, excel here, before going to the newsroom. I did my internships here and it paid off. It is not because I’m more intelligent; it’s because what you do while in school matters.”
He went on to indicate that the profession of journalism places high premium on skills and competence over academic credentials. Offering himself as a case study, he intimated that, although he had attended some of the world’s best schools, he had yet to be employed based on his certificates. Mr. Awuni appealed to the students to be avid readers, noting that it was a key way by which they could improve their writing skills.
The Acting Dean of the Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies, Professor Etse Sikanku, who spoke after the media practitioners had ended their presentations, urged the students to take advantage of the experience-sharing lectures instituted by the faculty.
Prof. Sikanku stated that there was a clear connection between academic assignments in the university and the demands of the media industry. “This is a life changing moment so take advantage of it. Whether it is critical thinking, taking ‘no’ for an answer or looking for newsworthy stories, you have heard them from these professionals. The experience shared here today are to be put on repeat, just like your favorite songs by your favorite musicians. Everything starts with what you do here.”
Present at the Guest lecture were the Head of the Media Studies Department, Dr. Solace Asafo, the Course Lecturer for Broadcast News Writing, Mr. Baah Acheamfour and some student reporters.
UniMAC is on a trajectory of bringing industry practice to the classroom to sharpen skills of students and make them ready for the world of work. Communication, media and arts are not just classroom-based, it requires practical skills, demonstrations, hands-on learning and role-modelling to be the best. This initiative by the Faculty of Journalism and Media Studies at the Institute of Journalism, is just one of the many collaborations UniMAC is formalizing for the good of students.
The Multimedia Group has been a formidable media house for decades with a powerhouse of seasoned and award-winning Journalists and Communication Specialist that UniMAC is tapping into to enrich classroom learning.
It is instructive to note that, UniMAC is a merger of the erstwhile Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ), the National Film and Television Institute (NAFTI) and the Ghana Institute of Languages by an Act of Parliament 2020 (Act 1059). UniMAC is uniquely positioned to deliver excellence in Media, Arts and Communications education at the tertiary level.