Next Gen Intern Diary: Understanding what journalism really entails at Premium Times

Dear Diary,

It has been two months since I began my internship at Premium Times, where I work with the Entertainment, Lifestyle and Culture Desk. Looking back, these first few weeks have been a period of learning, adjusting and gradually understanding how a professional newsroom operates.  

I have learnt about the many things that journalism entails. It has become more apparent to me that, irrespective of what you are writing about, accuracy, fairness and objectivity are non-negotiable in good journalism.

Inside Premium Times

Shortly after onboarding, I visited the Premium Times Lagos office, where I had my first direct exposure to newsroom operations. The visit gave me a better sense of the newsroom environment.

Through the assignments I worked on and the feedback I received from my editor, Jayne Augoye, I gradually became familiar with Premium Times’ approach to reporting. I learned the importance of verifying information, properly attributing claims and maintaining a balanced tone, especially when writing about trending stories. I also learned that meeting deadlines is important, but not at the expense of getting the facts right.

During this period, I focused on understanding the entertainment, lifestyle and culture desk, which covers music, film, theatre, cultural events and celebrity news. I also regularly read stories on the Premium Times website to better understand how the organisation distinguishes itself from entertainment gossip platforms through verification, balance and credible sourcing. I followed developing stories and monitored press releases as part of this learning process.

One of my earliest assignments was covering the private screening of Little Big Moments Season 2 on May 22, 2026. The screening, initially scheduled for May 21, was rescheduled by a day. The assignment gave me a better understanding of what field reporting involves, from paying attention to details at an event to gathering information that can be developed into a publishable story.

I also began drafting early story assignments and working through editorial feedback. Going over my drafts and making corrections helped me improve my writing and better understand the importance of attribution and clarity in news reporting. By the end of May, I had a better understanding of the editorial process and had worked on assignments that were later published.  

The month of many assignments

June gave me more opportunities to report on different stories and apply some of the lessons I had learned during my first few weeks at Premium Times, and I authored more stories than I did in the first month.

I wrote about acclaimed writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s battle with the loss of her son, Afrobeats artist Davido’s appearance at the FIFA World Cup and the announcement of nominations for the 18th Headies Awards.

Reporting on these stories taught me the importance of relying on verified information and avoiding assumptions when reporting. They required me to conduct additional background research and review previously published information to provide adequate context.

I also covered music-related stories, including reviews and features on artists such as Asake, Falz and Timi Dakolo. Working on these stories taught me to pay closer attention to the music, lyrics and themes being discussed rather than relying only on personal opinions.

Throughout June, I worked closely with my editor and revised several drafts based on feedback that helped me improve my writing, pay more attention to details, and understand that editing is just as important as writing the story itself.

One lesson I continued to learn was the importance of checking information and avoiding assumptions. I became more conscious of using only details that could be supported by reliable sources.  

Looking back on my first two months, one of the biggest lessons for me has been understanding the level of discipline that goes into working in a professional newsroom.

Premium Times’ editorial standards demand consistency, accuracy and accountability. Working within that structure has really helped my approach to writing and reporting more than any prior academic or informal experience.

I started the internship because I enjoy storytelling. Over the past two months, I have come to appreciate that journalism involves much more than writing. It requires patience, careful fact-checking and a willingness to learn from feedback.

I look forward to continuing this training in the months ahead.