Polaris Bank Limited, Nigeria’s leading digital retail commercial bank, has empowered more than 5,000 journalists across the country through its yearly media capacity building workshops in the last 10 years.
The 2024 edition of the media workshop, which held on Thursday
in a hybrid format, focused on "Integrating AITools in Contemporary Media
Practices for Innovation and Excellence."
Speaking at the event, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head of Brand
Management and Corporate Communications at Polaris Bank, noted that the bank
will continue to provide its unwavering support for the journalists and the
media as a vital pillar of society.
"We believe that journalists and the media plays crucial role in shaping public discourse and fostering informed citizenship," Mr. Bolarinwa said. "Our commitment to training journalists across the media spectrum, is rooted in our belief that they (journalists) deserve the best possible support to excel in their profession."
He said the bank started the media training partnering
journalism clinic and holding workshops in various cities across the country.
The media clinic which focused on divination of the media, was facilitated by
Mr. Taiwo Obe, a veteran journalist.
Bolarinwa disclosed that more than 500 journalists registered
for the 2024 edition and expressed the hope that the bank will continue to do
more to support journalists and the media by bringing the best faculty to
facilitate contemporary issues at its subsequent media workshops.
The programme featured a diverse range of topics, including;
creativity, AI tools, and critical thinking. Dr. Chike Mgbeadichie, a Senior Lecturer at the Pan-Atlantic University, provided insights into the application
of AI tools in media practices while Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director
of the Media Career Development Network, discussed contemporary media trends
such as multimedia journalism, fact-checking and data journalism.
Dr. Mgbeadichie noted that at the end of the seminar,
participants will be able to reflect deeply on thinking, actions and processes
needed to generate ideas, possibilities and actions. He added that journalists
should be able to figure out how to analyze, synthesize and evaluate
information; know the different AI tools available in the media space as well
as understand the benefits of AI tools in contemporary media practices, among
others.
Mr. Otufodunrin explained that journalists should be adept at
the use of solutions journalism to enhance their investigative capabilities,
using new tools such as OSINT, Geo journalism, data analysis, digital
forensics, website blogs, social media, newsletters, podcasts e-publishing and
social media engagements, among others.
Participants from across Nigeria, both online and in person,
expressed their gratitude for the opportunity to enhance their skills. Segun
Adeleye, publisher of Worldstage, commended Polaris Bank for its continuous
dedication to fostering media excellence in Nigeria.
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