Next Gen Intern Diary: My Thrilling Journey into Broadcast Journalism at Freedom Radio

The call for applications for Campus Reporter’s NextGen Internship came to me at the perfect time, just as I was rounding off my undergraduate studies at Gombe State University (GSU). I saw it as an opportunity to transition from campus journalism into a professional environment and gain firsthand experience working in the media.

So when I received the news of my acceptance into the internship by the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID), I was elated. The programme has, over the years, groomed many of today’s leading journalists, empowering young students through mentorship, training, and learning opportunities.

My internship placement is with a renowned media organisation in Kano, Freedom Radio, known for its credibility and professionalism. It’s here that I began my journey into broadcast journalism, an unfamiliar territory from the usual text that I was familiar with.

At first, apprehension

In my first week, the station manager, Ado Saidu Warawa, introduced me to the news department. The scene before me was intimidating at first: some staff were punching at their keyboards, while others sat with earphones plugged into their ears, in deep concentration. I would later learn that they were editing audio recordings.

The atmosphere on that first day felt intense, and I was apprehensive. However, in the coming days, I found the staff to be accommodating as they provided guidance and answered my questions with patience. 

During the first few weeks, I observed how news and programmes were prepared, produced, and presented. The urgency with which they did their work was evident. Many times, I have watched reporters rush to make last-minute arrangements for breaking stories. Sometimes, you find them walking briskly or almost sprinting to the newsroom, where speed and accuracy are of utmost importance. 

As interns, we were made to engage in the regular ritual of pausing to listen to all three news bulletins of the day, then note our observations, and suggest areas of improvement. According to the editor, efficient reporters continuously observe how the news is produced, seek feedback, and strive to improve. He also emphasised that teamwork is what makes a good report.

New learnings, assignments

As the weeks went by, I became engaged in different aspects of news production. Editing using Adobe Audition, wrote scripts for news production, sourced news, and translated news articles from English to Hausa.

What I enjoyed the most was sound editing. It was fascinating to watch reports being refined as audio clips were cut, amplified, and improved using Adobe Audition. 

When producing programmes, I observed how voices were mixed with production music, background noise was removed, and errors were corrected. After watching for a few weeks, I was given the opportunity to try it myself, and I realised that the professionals made it look much easier than it actually is. But I am working on mastering the skill.

I have also been working with the publishing team for the station’s news website, where I  learned how articles and news stories are published using the WordPress Content Management System.

I also learned that although there are specialists who handle different aspects of production, such as editing and sound design. It is important for everyone working in the media to have a basic understanding of these skills. 

Beyond learning about production, the editor requires interns to submit story ideas every week during editorial meetings. 

For my first assignment, I reported on a local community where a ditch had troubled the residents, causing destruction of property and even deaths. I interviewed residents and community heads, and the report was aired.

I am currently working on my second story, identifying sources and gathering expert commentary.

Overall, my first month at Freedom Radio has opened my eyes to the dedication, accuracy, and resilience required to work in a fast-paced media environment. I have learnt that journalism in whatever medium is anchored on the same pillars with minor differences.

As I continue my internship journey, I look forward to further developing my reporting, writing, and production skills.