Are you informed?

Story and photos by Rebecca Musanga

In this current generation, if you're not in the game of knowing what is happening around you then you must be missing something and to be specific, life as a journalist. On one fine Sunday afternoon 24th September, Uweza Journalism Club members were discussing the qualities of a good journalist.

We were divided into four groups and each group had to choose a group leader and a presenter under the supervision of our journalism teacher Mr. Thomas Bwire. Everyone was keen to understand the topic of what it takes to be a good journalist. Some of the major points brought up by the presenters were: A journalist should be hardworking, highly educated, fluent in both Kiswahili and English, self disciplined at heart, accurate, very first with news, trusted, easy to understand, straight, alert and also realistic.

One of the groups shares what they think makes a good journalist

To add on what we learned, we were also given tips of a becoming a good journalist which included:·   

• Be right by building trust with your readers, listeners or viewerss
• Be first and timely in the news to be delivered.
• Stick to what you know and not to be biased
• Keep it simple hence avoid using fancy sentences that are unnecessary.
• Play it straight to maintain your standard.
• Know your market i.e. their age, occupation, residence and target audience.
• Be aware of your competitors.
• Keep in touch.
• Be realistic
• Be disciplined.

Club member Dorcas Kirwai shares her findings with the group

Everyone had a chance to share what we had learned over the past week and as we went home, we had at least two hints in mind hoping to become the best journalist ever. The presenters from each group were also awarded for their good presentation skills as a way of motivation to become better presenters in years to come ahead.

The day’s lesson helped me have a reflection on some of the aspects in becoming a journalist and what it takes to be to edge out the competition when that time comes.

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Rebecca Musanga is a member of the Uweza Journalism Club.