Students of the Mass Communications Department at Yaba College of Technology recently completed an assignment tour of Independent Newspapers Limited, publishers of Daily, Saturday, and Sunday Independent, gaining practical insights into newspaper production and newsroom operations.
The visit, led by lecturer Abraham Adegoke, aimed to provide students with knowledge on the brief history of the media organisation, organisational structure, production processes, and equipment used in newspaper publishing.
Charles Okoh, News Editor of Independent Newspapers, took the students through the production processes and the company's evolution, explaining that the organisation had relocated from its former premises at Wempco Road, Ogba, Ikeja, and created space for News Central, the TV arm of the organisation.
"But over time, with the evolution in technology and all of that, we too have also adapted to that development in technology. Technology is bringing the global village to a smaller unit. This is because at the touch of a button, you can be speaking with somebody, wherever he is in the world," Okoh stated.
He educated the students on the company's organogram, starting from the Managing Director down to the Managing Editor, Daily Editor, Saturday Editor and Sunday Editor respectively, with title editors including Business Editor, Politics Editor, Sports Editor, Online Editor and Photo Editor working under them.
Celestine Amoke, Editor Production, took the students through production processes from news gathering by correspondents and reporters through rewriting, editing, and proofreading to ensure materials are error free.
Kunle Ajayi, Photo Editor, noted that an accurate and the right caption defines a good photojournalist.
"I shot for a living. I don't shoot with a gun but with the camera. One thing is very significant here; when you capture the image, a caption is very necessary. You have to use your 5 Ws and H to explain your photo," Ajayi stated.
Segun Abisoye, Online Editor, explained the importance of accuracy in online journalism.
"Your immediacy must also come with the responsibility of accuracy. You are required to be immediate, quick, and accurate when you are working online. There must be speed and accuracy in terms of the facts of the story, and accuracy in terms of the grammar that you use," Abisoye noted.
Adegoke expressed appreciation for the opportunity, describing the sessions as very insightful for the students.
Salaudeen Nofisat Temitope said the visit had renewed her desire to pursue a career as a journalist, while Augustina Oluwatoyin thanked the editors for the insightful sessions.
