The Step-Up for Women in Journalism Initiative (SUPWIJI), has urged media practitioners to be learn and embrace the modern journalism skills to enable them stay relevant , become financially viable and uphold integrity in the profession.
The Executive Director of SUPWIJI, Mrs. Ann Godwin, stated this in PortHarcourt on Thursday at a workshop organised by the group to mark its one year anniversary . The event was supported by the Advancing Women in Business (AWIB) and Princewill Trust Foundation.
Godwin said the nation’s economy is not smiling, hence it was pertinent for media practitioners to think outside the box, grasp a shift in digital, data and solution journalism among others.
While giving practical lectures on pitching, she noted that opportunities abound in the profession such as grants, fellowships, training among others, urging members to remain focused, work hard and network to enable them glean in the numerous fortunes.
Godwin noted that the need for women journalists to begin to work hard and intelligently, to up their ante to take up leadership spaces that abound in the media industries to enable them stand out in life.
Similarly, the Executive Director of AWIB, Mrs Josephine Itonyo, while delivering a lecture on Enterprenuership in Media and Finance, stressed the need for women in the media to be powerful and influential wherever they find themselves.
Itonyo, represented by Mrs Mourinho Umah, the Administrator for AWIB, urged women journalists to develop themselves financially by investing in legitimate businesses that would give them financial Independent.
According to Itonyo, media practitioners should have integrity and a legitimate way of making money to be financially independent.
She said, ”They should also take advantage of learning skills , improve in knowledge that can increase their earning capacity.
”Media practitioners should be more influential and relevant in the society, avoid negative attitude that will question their integrity.
“They should not be money wasters, avoid paying late fees and missing deadlines, instead they should save their finance for the rainy day and block linkages,”Itonyo said.
