By Chiamaka Okafor @MackieOkafor
Students of Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, Anambra State, on Thursday, August 8, 2019, launched their chapter of the Union of Campus Journalists. The event had the theme, “Campus Journalism in the Era of Fake News”.
The three-day program featured training sessions facilitated by media experts alongside academics. It had in attendance Chido Onumah of the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Prof. Chinyere Stella Okunna and Dr. Chinwe Uzochukwu of the Department of Mass Communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka, Adedeji Adekunle of Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), Emmanuel Ifesinachi, Chairman, Nigeria Union of Journalists, Anambra State, Uche Nworah, Managing Director Anambra Broadcasting Service (ABS), the Commissioner for Information, Anambra State, C. Don Adinuba, who was represented by the Managing Director, National Light Newspaper, Mr. Chuka Nnabuife, and the NAWOJ chairperson, Stella Igboka, who was represented by Monique Okechukwu.
Over 80 students from different departments were trained on various aspects of journalism during the event which lasted from August 8-10. Topics covered included, “Introduction to Journalism,” “Introduction to Campus Journalism,” “Ethics of Journalism,” “What makes news?” Fake news versus real news,” “Data journalism” and practical class on “Show don’t tell”.
The Union of Campus Journalists, UniZIK, is the latest campus journalism association to join the National Union of Campus Journalists (NUCJ), the umbrella body of campus journalists in the country. The NUCJ president, Ibrahim Olarotimi, was represented by Ajala Samuel Akindele, the PRO, who spoke on the benefits of campus journalism and what the current leadership is doing to reposition NUCJ.
In his presentation, Uche Nworah, MD of ABS, spoke about the qualities of a good journalist and good journalism and the need for participants to be voracious readers. He extended internship opportunities to interested members of the union.
The editor in chief of UCJUNIZIK, Chiamaka Okafor, said the union decided on the theme because of the need to expose students to various aspects of the new phenomenon called fake news and its impact on society. According to her, “In the times we find ourselves; times characterized by overload of information and constant and deliberate propagation of misinformation and disinformation, there is no better time to build an army of young people who will help fight the growth and spread of fake news.”
Chido Onumah, coordinator of AFRICMIL described the launch as “a ground-breaking event.” He urged “students in tertiary institutions, not just in Anambra State, but in the South-east zone of the country, to emulate what UCJ-UNIZIK has done.” “The opportunities are immense and the benefits, priceless,” he noted.
Chidera Christian Okafor, a 100-level student of Economics said the event was “motivating, encouraging and educating especially for those who are not students of mass communication.”
Adanna Nwana, a 400-level student of Mass Communication said the program achieved its purpose by exposing 100 and 200 level students to the experience and expertise of professional journalists and for the soon to graduate students an avenue to build contacts and explore employment opportunities.
The launch of the Union of Campus Journalists, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka, led by Dimson Emmanuel, was supported by the African Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), Premium Times Centre for Investigative Journalism (PTCIJ), Premium Times Nigeria, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Anambra State, and the Ministry of Information, Anambra State.
Chiamaka Okafor is the editor-in-chief, www.ucjunizik.com
