“As a journalist, you must learn to network with peers,” advised Jean Claude Ndayishimiye, Senior Manager of Rwanda Broadcasting Agency (RBA) Digital, during a three-day training hosted by Fojo’s Rwanda Media Programme.
The training, held in Musanze District from November 11-13, featured professionals in the journalism field and aimed to equip journalism students with practical skills to navigate the real-world journalism realm.
Ndayishimiye spoke to a select group of 20 students, part of the 40 who attended the training. Participants represented four Rwandan universities: the University of Rwanda (UR), Mount Kigali University (MKU), East African University Rwanda (EAUR), and Institut Catholique de Kabgayi (ICK).
Over the three-day workshop, Ndayishimiye explored essential topics, including social media strategies, multimedia storytelling, story pitching, and interviewing techniques.
On the first day, he emphasised the importance of critical analysis, urging aspiring journalists to examine information carefully before reporting, prioritising quality in content production, and using multimedia elements effectively to complement the story.
He also encouraged participants to actively “engage their audience by fostering interaction through feedback and comments”, creating a more meaningful and immersive storytelling experience.
Ndayishimiye shared tips for creating engaging social media content. He advised journalists to know their audience, craft clear attention-grabbing headlines, use high-quality videos and branded graphics, and post around 6:00 p.m. when the audience is most active. “A clear and catchy headline is your first chance to stand out,” he said.
During the second day of training, he focused on pitching story ideas, emphasizing the importance of a strong hook. “A hook answers ‘So what?’ and draws your audience in right from the start,” he explained.
Ndayishimiye also encouraged students to embrace mistakes as learning opportunities, urging them to stay open to feedback. “Be flexible and use corrections to grow and become better professionals.”
On the final day, Ndayishimiye guided students through the techniques of conducting effective interviews. Using examples from renowned interviewers, both locally and globally, he illustrated the key concepts he was teaching. He then divided the students into groups of three, two were assigned as interviewer and interviewee, while one took on the role of the cameraman. Afterward, the groups presented their videos, and Ndayishimiye provided feedback on each, highlighting areas for improvement and pointing out any flaws.
Claudine Mahoro, the Rwanda Media Programme (RMP) Workshop Coordinator, concluded the training by reaffirming the commitment of RMP and Fojo Media Institute to supporting journalism students. She encouraged participants to make the most of the opportunity to learn from industry experts.
“In this workshop, you’ll engage with professionals who will help you understand the realities of the media industry, offering insights that go beyond classroom theories,” she said.
Mahoro also highlighted that RMP has provided funding to each school to support student activities, including covering transport costs for nearby field reporting.
By Levy Gasana