NextGen Internship: Building skills, story by story, by Rahab Yusuf

The second month of my NextGen internship under the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) continues to broaden my understanding of journalism, its importance, demands, and challenges.

Throughout the month, I observed the work of other journalists, especially the professionalism and confidence with which they approach their work. Although I am still learning, I hope that with continued practice and mentorship, I will develop the same level of confidence and professionalism in my work.

During the weeks, I engaged in various activities including researching, scripting, and writing reports on current affairs and public education topics such as seasonal health risks, weather reports, cybercrime, and history beats. Each assignment required me to conduct background research, verify information, and present it in a way that would be clear and useful to the audience.

My first report for the month focused on public health, where I interviewed residents about the health challenges they experience during the rainy season, particularly malaria. I also interviewed the Kano State Commissioner for Health to obtain his response to these concerns, alongside insights from healthcare experts.

I also produced reports on cybercrime, interviewing residents who had fallen victim to online fraud to get a balanced report. I also sought expert opinions on online scams, preventive measures and practical safety measures for the public. In addition, I covered the weather and history beats, which continues to strengthen my on-air presentation skills.

Working in the field has strengthened my interviewing skills. Through the reports I have produced, I have become more confident in professionally approaching people, persuading them to speak, and asking the right questions to get their responses or insights. Another skill I have continued developing is sound editing. I can now cleanly edit audio, remove background noise, amplify sound, and mix audio clips. It has been an enjoyable learning experience.

I was linked with a senior journalist, Akilu Musa, who guided me in publishing news on WordPress. I was also introduced to the ethical use of AI in journalism, particularly for fact-checking, reorganising information, and understanding the importance of not relying entirely on AI.

Currently, I am working on a report focused on exploring people’s perceptions of climate change and its effects during the rainy season.

So far, I can say I  have adapted to the work environment and now make more contributions and confidently carry out reporting assignments.