The demanding nature of media
business
BY MUSYOKA NGUI
“Journalism is a most latter day hunting
and gathering and there is no room for those who cannot shoot moving targets.
Only excellence. If you are mediocre, a joker or plain quack, ship out.
W
|
orking in
the media world is not for the faint hearted. It takes as strong will and
thinking ahead.
One has to do at least two newsworthy stories and
submit them before the deadline. We have dry days. These are the bad days when
nothing worth reporting happens. On the other hand, there are days when there are
many story leads to follow thus we get spoilt for choices. In any case, the
editor wants you to file a story and file it the best way you know how.
Reporting at work must be punctual. There are no excuses
that there was a traffic jam on the road or you woke up late. Tell that to the
birds because no one will believe you.
Sometime you will attend long events which require you to summarize them
to a 400 word article or a 60 second video.
One way of getting ahead of the story is researching
in advance. Do you homework and know when the event will begin, who will speak,
where and when the event will end. Documents such as event programmes come in
handy as they stipulate the times and activities to be undertaken. Get one
event programme booklet from the emcee.
Have
go- to sources to inform you reliably. This can be a clerk, secretary, a
personal assistant or a sweeper to tip you off when to get plugged in.
Having your own tools of trade rather than the
company’s will help unless there is a rule against such. Acquire a nice
personal computer, a smart phone or a camera so that whenever you are you can
work without necessarily going to the studio. Prove to the assignment editor
that you can do the story and next time you will be assigned even more
lucrative tasks thanks to the trust and confidence you will have earned from
your boss.
Be thorough. Cross check facts, hear the other angle
that has been ignored by colleagues, competitors and pursue it. That way you
will carve an edge out of the fierce competition that is the media business.
Keep your diary updated. Be always on the know about
events, occurrences and impromptu moments. Remember a moment is perishable.
Capitalize on the exclusivity of you being the only person to break a major
story. Do it so well that the rest of the reporters will be playing catch up or
copying your established narrative.
Team work is very vital in journalism. Communicate
well with colleagues and the bosses. Appreciate them when they do you a favour.
It may be editing your piece, translating or just keeping you company as you
finish off the assignment. Return the favour by helping them too. It may be
that colleague who has not yet mastered the QWERTY keyboard and keeps on darting
eyes to locate the letters. Help them cope with the pressure.
Do
not mind who gets the credit as long as you do your part in the large
production process. The audiences and advertisers will reward you handsomely by
buying your works. By that time you will be laughing all the way to the bank. A
true blessing borne out of your hard work and determination.
I
normally say that journalism is a most latter day hunting and gathering and
there is no room for those who cannot shoot moving targets. Only excellence. If
you are mediocre, a joker or plain quack, ship out. Your lack of passion will
show and sooner or later you will be fired. But if your blood is media
positive, welcome home.
The writer is a student of Bachelors of Arts Degree
in Communication and Media at Chuka University and an intern at KNA Kitui
Bureau. He blogs at musyokangui.blogspot.com
Email your thoughts to
musyokangui02@gmail.com
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