Media Career Development Network

23/09/2025

The big internship debate: Should interns always be paid?

Some argue that internships are about learning, not money. Others believe that if interns are adding value, they deserve fair compensation. And then there are industries where unpaid internships are still considered “normal.”

Where do you stand on this issue?
Should interns always be paid — or does it depend on the industry?

Drop your perspective in the comments ⬇️.

🎙️ We’ll be digging into conversations like this and more on The Learning Curve Podcast launching soon.

18/09/2025

Internship Update: Internship Podcast

One project our interns are working on is the launch of a Podcast focused on internships for both students and graduates.

It will cover challenges of getting internship placements, experiences during internships, and other issues regarding internships for present and future interns to learn from.

Ahead of the launch, they are seeking perspectives to include in their production.

It will be appreciated if you engage with the series of posts that would be shared on the project.

Your feedback matters.

💡 Internship means different things to different people.
For some, it’s a chance to grow. For others, it feels like stress, pressure, or even free labour. And yet, for many, it’s the first big opportunity to build a career.

When you hear the word “internship,” what comes to your mind first?
Drop your answer in the comments ⬇️ your story might inspire someone else.

📌 This is just the beginning. Stay tuned as we count down to the launch of The Learning Curve Podcast 🎙️ where interns share the real lessons, challenges, and wins that shaped them.

18/09/2025

We’re cooking something exciting..
Before it drops, let’s hear from you.
What comes to mind when you hear internship?
How was your first experience?

Click the link and share your thoughts there 👇

https://x.com/Mediacareerngr/status/1968776826915815918?t=Rto8rTi2421kwoI0YDucYQ&s=08

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/media-careerng_internship-worklife-learningcurvepodcast-activity-7374541628579086336-yQE0?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_android&rcm=ACoAAAIW9-8B5exY4Vam1OGESSoTZt4mVQyS3N4

16/09/2025

Nigeria MediaAI Insight Newsletter
September 16,2025

Editor's Note: “Let AI Guide You”
Lekan Otufodunrin

AI demystified at media training for journalists, professionals
Asishana Justina

ICIR launches NativeAI

Tarbell AI Reporting Grants

WAN-IFRA’s 6th AI report: Publishers’ perspective on the AI value equation

How to transform your report into multimedia formats using AI
Titilope Fadare

Link to Newsletter https://mailchi.mp/f3ac727c3ab4/media-career-weekly-14201969

Supported by Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development

10/09/2025

Nigeria MediaAI Insight Newsletter
September 9, 2025

Editor's Note: Anti-AI Editors

‘How journalists can maximise digital tools, enhance practice’

AI-assisted reporting: Why Journalists must relearn data security, privacy risks

Call for Applications: AI in Journalism Incubator

The Festival

Reporter’s Guide to Detecting AI-Generated Content

Should Journalists Disclose Every Use of AI?

https://mailchi.mp/b21112acd5b7/media-career-weekly-14201760

09/09/2025

Internship Update: State of Campus journalism

Last week, we described our internship offering as a banquet of learning opportunities. The visit of the executive members of the Association of Campus Journalists, Obafemi Awolowo University (ACJOAU), Ife, turned into a lively discussion session where our interns shared their experiences of journalism practice on their campuses and also learned what happens in others.

The Esther Olatimehin -led executive team appreciated the past support of our organisation and sought more partnership and internship opportunities for its members. They also requested training and collaboration to strengthen the connection between campus journalism and the broader media space.

Interestingly, most of our interns from both private and public universities admitted that they had not been involved in active campus journalism—either because such opportunities do not exist in their schools or due to lack of personal interest. They were challenged to see campus journalism as a platform for training, networking, and building their profiles ahead of graduation.

For those who had not been active, we encouraged them to take a greater interest when they resume on campus, or even start a campus journalism organisation where none exists.

Our Executive Director Lekan Otufodunrin recalled that he was a campus journalist back in his days at the University of Lagos where he was a member of the Eye Magazine.

Caleb Ijioma of Roundcheck shared his campus journalism experience that has been beneficial to him in his present media practice.

It is curious that non-Mass Communication students are often more active in campus journalism groups across the country. Mass Communication students, in particular, need to maximise these opportunities to put into practice the theories they are being taught.

Some interns would rather keep to themselves, only speaking when called upon. But we continue to remind them that being able to express themselves confidently in public is a skill they must learn—or get used to—as aspiring media professionals.

Kudos to the ACJOAU executive including Adedoyin Oguntade Matthew Ogunwale its members, and other vibrant campus journalists across the country.

09/09/2025

Founder, JournoTECH in London, Kelvin-Alerechi who started her journalism career as a reporter and correspondent in River State, Nigeria is also the Chief Executive Officer, The Colonist Report UK and Africa independent investigative organisations.

With nearly a decade of experience as a technologist, web builder, app developer, researcher, and investigative journalist, she built and designed NewsAssist AI which has attracted users across 117 countries.

In this interview with Media Career Development Network, Elfredah speaks on the intersection between journalism and AI, her digital and editorial work, advice for journalists and other issues.

Founder, JournoTECH in London, Elfredah Kelvin-Alerechi who started her journalism career as a reporter and correspondent in River State, Nigeria is also the Chief Executive Officer, The Colonist Report UK and Africa independent investigative organisations.

08/09/2025

We hosted our third supported by the U.S. Mission Nigeria on September 4.
We appreciate the excellent facilitation by Pelu Awofeso and Titilope Fadare on Multimedia Storytelling.
We appreciate our very active and engaging participants.

02/09/2025

Internship Update: Our buffet offerings

As a media hub, we provide opportunities for other media organisations to implement their programmes or serve as their contact point.

Roundcheck headed by Caleb Ijioma is one of our media partners. Last year, it hosted its internship programme along with ours in our office.

Ijioma is back this year to offer intense practical training on fact-checking and other media literacy skills for his organisation's interns and ours.

Yesterday, he spent hours with them on the importance of fact-checking, especially in an era of growing disinformation. He exposed them to why they should have factchecking skills leading to a discussion on the psychology of bad actors and people who share false information unknowingly.

They also got insights on basic tools for fact-checking and ways the tools can help in the fact-checking process.

"There was positive feedback from interns, who through the session, now understand factchecking and are willing to explore more," Ijioma said.

Our ED Lekan Otufodunrin asked one of the interns her impression of the training they got yesterday. "Intense, but educative," she responded.

Two of the interns accompanied our ED to a television station in Lagos for an interview and they were really glad to sit in the studio and watch all the behind the scene preparations and live session.
One fun fact of the trip was that they crossed the third mainland bridge for first time.

The interns from Caleb University got a surprise when one of their lecturers, Mrs Funmi Falobi (ANIPR) who is a member of our network looked in. She was surprised to see them too.

Two of our interns will be joing us at the Journalism Clinic we are hosting for young journalists at the US Consulate on Thursday.

We keep telling our interns that what we are offering them is a buffet. It's up to them to learn what they want.

31/08/2025

🚨 NEW REPORT 🚨

We are proud to unveil the Media Career Check-Up 2025 Report — a reflection on the career journeys of Nigerian journalists.

The report highlights:
✅ Career lessons and growth experiences
✅ Gaps in mentorship, digital skills & welfare
✅ Practical recommendations for journalists & newsroom leaders

This resource is essential for journalists, editors, and media support organisations working to strengthen the profession in Nigeria and beyond.

📖 Download here ️👉 https://mediacareerng.org/mcdn-releases-media-career-check-up-2025-report/

25/08/2025

Internship Update: 'Encounter' with Stella Din-Jacob

At Media Career Development Network, we continually experiment with new ways to give our interns experiential learning opportunities—including exposure to the career journeys of accomplished journalists.

Today, we rounded off our weekly editorial meeting by watching and reviewing a YouTube interview with the new Executive Director, News of the Nigerian Television Authority (NTA), Mrs. Stella Din-Jacob. In the interview, conducted by Azuh Arinze, Publisher of YES Magazine, she shared how she became a journalist almost by accident after studying Law and starting out at Channels Television.

Din-Jacob, who is also a former Editor-in-Chief of Television Continental (TVC), spoke about what has sustained her interest in journalism, what makes a good journalist, the costliest mistakes journalists can make, what excites her, and what she dislikes about the profession.

After the session, I asked the interns to share what struck them most from her responses. Their feedback reflected various perspectives and lessons. They appreciated hearing her story and learning that:

Professionals from other fields can transition into journalism,

Passion is required to excel in the profession,

Mistakes are to be avoided, and

The life of a journalist can be hectic.

I also allayed their fears about some misconceptions they had regarding the profession, reminding them that every career path comes with its own challenges and hazards.

We were also joined by Biodun Busari, Punch correspondent and Geography graduate (to the interns’ surprise), who shared how his campus journalism experience helped him transition smoothly into professional reporting.

Earlier in the meeting, we had reviewed the reports submitted by the interns last week and discussed their new assignments, including producing a podcast on media internship.

An intern from Mountain Top University, who resumed today, later sent me this heartfelt message after getting home:

“Thank you so much sir for today sir 🙇🏽‍♀️🙏🏻 I was so blessed by those sessions 🥹”

- Lekan Otufodunrin

25/08/2025

Nigeria MediaAI Insight Newsletter August 25, 2025

https://mailchi.mp/06245900eddd/media-career-weekly-14201334?e=a58e28c111

Editor's Note: AI: Beyond Using It

Story ideation AI app for journalists

AI in Journalism Practice workshop holds in Minna

CJID inaugurates AI Collective CSO/Media Advocacy group
Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development

Take a survey: share your experience on how AI is reshaping African newsrooms.