The Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria, Malam Ali M. Ali, has urged journalists to embrace technology in news reportage to avoid going extinct.
Ali spoke in an interview with the NAN on Wednesday at the ongoing 19th Annual Nigeria Editors Conference.
He said on the sideline of the ongoing conference in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital: “The theme of the conference: ‘Stimulating Economic Growth, Technological Advancement: Role of the Media,’ is apt and timely.
“We are in the dawn of technology, now you have to work not hard, but you work smart.
“For you to work smart, you must be knowledgeable, have the right equipment, right skills and have the right knowledge.
“This is why training and retraining are very crucial.
“For you to move ahead you must be trained, you must have retraining to leverage on technology, otherwise a lot of news will be passing you by.
“So, if you fail to leverage on technology, especially all forms of media platforms, if you fail to leverage on technology, you will be extinct.”
The Managing Director added that as reporters and gatekeepers, journalists must ensure that only factual information were sent to the public.
Ali said that in this time of social media, training of reporters and editors must be regular to keep them abreast of current situations.
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Ali added that editors also have to be so circumspect, and equipped with relevant knowledge and skills to edit news better.
He added: “The media is very crucial and critical in the evolution of a nation state, especially the gatekeepers.
“At a time like this when fake news has become so pervasive, it is important for editors to annually or even quarterly come together to look at the existing practices.”