Polaris Bank Limited, Nigeria’s leading digital retail commercial bank, has empowered more than 5,000 journalists across the country in the last 10 years, through its yearly media capacity building workshops.
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’.
Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communications at Polaris Bank, Mr. Rasheed Bolarinwa said at the event that the bank would continue to provide its unwavering support for the journalists and the media as a vital pillar of the society.
He said: “We believe that journalists and the media play crucial role in shaping public discourse and fostering informed citizenship. Our commitment to training journalists across the media spectrum is rooted in our belief that they 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.
Bolarinwa disclosed that more than 500 journalists registered for the 2024 edition and expressed the hope that the bank would 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 media clinic, which focused on divination of the media, was facilitated by a seasoned journalist, Mr. Taiwo Obe.
The programme featured a diverse range of topics, including ‘Creativity, AI Tools, and Critical Thinking.
A Senior Lecturer at the Pan-Atlantic University, Dr. Chike Mgbeadichie provided insights into the application of AI tools in media practices, while the Executive Director of Media Career Development Network, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin discussed contemporary media trends such as multimedia journalism, fact-checking and data journalism.
Mgbeadichie assured that, as a result of the seminar, participants would be able to reflect deeply on thinking, actions and processes required to generate ideas, possibilities and actions.
He added that journalists should be able to figure out how to analyze, synthesise and evaluate information; know the different AI tools available in the media space and understand the benefits of AI tools in contemporary media practices, among others.
Otufodunrin explained that journalists should be adept at the use of solution 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. Publisher of Worldstage, Mr. Segun Adeleye commended Polaris Bank for its continuous dedication to fostering media excellence in the country.
