By Esther Olaifa, JKNewsMedia Reporter
ISSUES AROUND journalistic quality and ethical standards took centre stage at a newly launched capacity-building programme targeting young Nigerian reporters.
Organised by the Media Career Development Network (MCDN) with support from the United States Consulate General in Lagos, the initiative aims to raise a new generation of media professionals equipped for impactful public-interest reporting.
The Bi-Monthly Journalism Clinic—first in a series of six sessions planned across the year—gathered 21 early-career journalists and industry facilitators for hands-on workshops, practical tools training and mentorship.
The goal is to sharpen professional competence, encourage ethical news practices and offer support systems for journalists in the formative years of their careers.
Executive Director of MCDN, Lekan Otufodunrin, said the initiative was designed to upskill, mentor, and guide early-career reporters, especially those with under five years’ experience.
“Our plan is that approximately 150 reporters will benefit from the capacity-building programme,” he noted. “The aim is to empower young journalists to fulfil their role in keeping the public informed.”
The clinics are built around workshops focused on investigative journalism, data sourcing, open-source digital tools, and ethics in reporting. Other topics span local governance, financial reporting, public health coverage, and the safe handling of anonymous sources.
A digital component is in the pipeline to include applicants from outside Lagos, as demand for participation has surged.
“We already have almost 100 applications for today’s session, and more are still coming in,” Otufodunrin said, noting virtual sessions are being explored to accommodate wider participation.
Participants will also be enrolled in a two-month free membership programme offering career reviews, feedback, and eligibility to join the Young Journalists Network—organisers of the Young Journalists Award and Conference.
Julie Mckay, Public Affairs Officer of the US Consulate, expressed long-term commitment to Nigerian journalism, calling on reporters to visit American Corners and Windows on America spaces across the country.
“People trust what you do, and that information is so important—it helps them make decisions about their health, security, and leadership,” she said.
The practical sessions were led by industry professionals, including Samson Folarin, Editor of Weekend Titles at The Punch, who advised young journalists to be driven more by passion than money.
“Put your life, soul, everything into the job—then money, success, and achievement will come,” he said. He also stressed the importance of finding mentors to navigate the job’s challenges.
Broadcast journalist Matthew Ogunsuada of Voice of the People TV, a participant with three years of experience, said the clinic expanded his understanding of investigative work.
“I’ve gained deeper exposure to investigative journalism—especially methods like S-T-E-W-T: Social media, Text, Email, WhatsApp, and Telephone,” he said, referencing techniques taught for securing and verifying information.
