Yemisi Izuora
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.