From Learning to Practice: Reflections from Next Gen Internship Programme, by Olaoti Faruq

By Olaoti Faruq

My third and final month of the Next Gen Internship Programme has been largely focused on the practical aspects of journalism rather than its theoretical foundations. At this stage, the experience has moved beyond learning the basics of journalism to applying the knowledge and skills I acquired during the first two months. It has also been a period of becoming more confident and comfortable in my roles as both a broadcast and field journalist.

Alongside my regular newsroom activities at The Informant247, I continued to write daily reports on events and developments across Kwara State and Nigeria. Covering these stories has helped me stay abreast of happenings across different parts of the state and the country while improving my speed, accuracy, and news judgement.

One of the important lessons I learned this month was the significance of meeting deadlines. I experienced firsthand the consequences of missing deadlines, as some of the stories I expected to be published were delayed because they were not submitted within the required timeframe. This taught me that producing a good story is not enough; a journalist must also understand the importance of timeliness, particularly in a fast-paced newsroom where news can quickly lose its relevance.

I also learned that no matter how complete or perfect a story may appear to me as the reporter, it must still pass through editorial review and approval. This helped me understand the importance of the newsroom hierarchy and the role of editors in ensuring that stories meet professional, ethical, and editorial standards before publication.

I participated in biweekly training sessions in the newsroom, most of which were facilitated by senior reporters. The sessions focused on strengthening important skills such as developing story pitches, story framing, interview techniques, field safety, and the use of data-support systems. Each session introduced new perspectives and helped me become more deliberate about how I approach, investigate, write, and present stories.

Beyond daily news reporting, I have also been working on a special report that is particularly important to me. The story examines insecurity and its impact on farming in Kwara State, particularly how fear of insecurity has affected agricultural activities, reduced farmers’ ability to maximise their harvests, and contributed to the displacement of some farmers from their farmlands.

The report also examines the challenges faced by farmers who took loans to cultivate their farms. With insecurity limiting their ability to access and work on their farmlands, an important question arises: how can these farmers sustain their agricultural activities and repay the loans they obtained from creditors? The story therefore goes beyond reporting incidents of insecurity to examining the deeper economic consequences for affected farmers, particularly the pressure created by loan repayment obligations and deadlines.

With the close monitoring and guidance of my Managing Editor, I have learned to pay greater attention to how people respond to questions that directly affect their livelihoods. I have also become more conscious of the often-underreported struggles people face, particularly where institutional support and interventions are inadequate.

This month also helped me become more comfortable appearing in front of the camera. More importantly, I learned how to develop follow-up questions during interviews and programmes based on the responses of guests. This has improved my ability to conduct more meaningful conversations while maintaining the ethical standards of journalism and ensuring that my reporting remains balanced and fair, particularly when covering politically sensitive issues and the evolving political atmosphere in Kwara State.

As the internship gradually comes to an end, I can clearly see how much I have learned throughout the programme. I have gained a broader understanding of journalism through the combination of campus reporting, newsroom reporting, broadcast journalism, and field reporting. I have also come to appreciate how legal, ethical, and reputational considerations can influence newsroom decisions and ultimately shape what gets published.

Rather than considering the end of the internship as the end of my learning journey, I would prefer to continue volunteering and gaining more practical experience. This experience has reinforced my understanding that journalism is a continuous process of learning. There is always more to learn, more to understand, more skills to improve, and more stories waiting to be told.

I am deeply grateful to the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) for providing this incredible platform and opportunity. The knowledge, exposure, mentorship, and practical experience I have gained through the Next Gen Internship Programme would not have been possible without the support and structure provided by the organisation.

As I prepare for my one-year mandatory service, I hope to continue building on this experience and, if possible, remain connected to the newsroom for another year. I look forward to further developing my skills, contributing meaningfully to the newsroom, and continuing to tell stories that give voice to issues and people that deserve to be heard.