By Our Reporter
The Cross River State correspondent of National Mirror Newspaper, Richard Ndoma has charged young journalists to report facts as they are and avoid been opinionated in their reportage in order to excel.
Richard who stated this Saturday, at the 7th edition of the CrossRiverWatch capacity building and training workshop for budding journalists stressed the need why the basic principles, elements and techniques of news writing must be followed to ensure the growth of the reporter, the medium and avoid unnecessary litigations.
In his lecture titled “Technicalities of Journalism, The Cross River Experience” Richard noted that “stating facts as they are in a news reportage is a serious issue as a good story will grow your medium”.
This, according to him can be achieved by adhering to the basic techniques of news writing which includes simplicity of terms, the use of active voice, correct use of abbreviations, proper use of signposts, contrasts and crossroads and continuous review of the reportage with an “eagle eye”.
On news gathering, “the reporter’s notebook is very important because some of these midgets will fail you” Richard said, adding that, “when you sit down to write, it is between you and your script.”
He narrated the ordeals of several journalists who had relied on gadgets that failed. Speaking further, Richard averred that the use of active voice in a news reportage “keeps the reader warm” as it appeal’s to his or her interest.
However, he warned that lengthy news can sometimes become boring and admonished attendees to “try a subtle approach in certain human interest stories” but ensure they “avoid psychology, selectivity and editorializing.”
The training holds at the CrossRiverWatch office at 2 Marian Road, every Saturday from 3 to 5 PM and is open to all who are interested in journalism.
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