By Our Reporter
Journalists in Cross River State have been reminded that their task as news writers has placed on them a huge duty as authors, organizers and decision makers without whom many stories may never be told.
This reminder was given on Saturday at the continuing CrossRiverWatch capacity building trainings in Calabar, by Governor Ayade’s media aide, Mr. Emmanuel Ulayi who was the guest lecturer.
Mr. Ulayi, who described news as anything or event that is new and unusual further outlined the different and critical factors that every journalist must keep in mind when writing a story.
In a lengthy and informative presentation, he dissected the various styles and techniques of news writing and encouraged attendees to always strive to maintain the highest ethical standards in ensuring that reports are always reliable, trustworthy, independent, honest, and believable.
According to him, “A journalist writing a news story is the author, organizer and decision maker. Without them the story may never be told. They assemble the material they have at hand and which they have researched and uncovered and then they make the most important decision of all by asking the question – is there a story?
“Thousands of possible stories disappear each day because they fail to make it through this first stage of the production process, let’s try to make sure that yours don’t.
“Writing a news story is a personal thing. There are as many ways to write a story as there are people prepared to do it. Some will be better than others, some may even be dreadful, but they will all be different.
“There is no pro forma or template to replace individual thought and application. Despite what you may hear about the objectivity of news, you as the writer cannot help being subjective because you are applying your own judgment and values. The important thing is that your judgment is not just a personal preference. It is guided and based on journalistic principles.” He said.
The training classes continue every Saturday at the CrossRiverWatch corporate headquarters at 2 Marian Road, Calabar by 4pm and interested members of the public are always welcomed.
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