Polaris Bank Limited, one of Nigeria’s foremost digital retail commercial banks, has empowered more than 5,000 journalists nationwide through its annual media capacity-building workshops over the past decade.
The 2024 edition, held on Thursday in a hybrid format, centered on ‘Integrating AI Tools in Contemporary Media Practices for Innovation and Excellence.’
Speaking at the event, Rasheed Bolarinwa, Head of Brand Management and Corporate Communications at Polaris Bank, reaffirmed the bank’s commitment to supporting the media sector as a cornerstone of democracy and informed citizenship.
“We believe journalists play a pivotal role in shaping public discourse and fostering informed communities,” Bolarinwa said.
“Our dedication to journalist training across media platforms is rooted in our belief that journalists deserve comprehensive support to thrive in their roles,” he added.
Since initiating the training program, Polaris Bank has partnered with journalism clinics led by veteran journalists like Taiwo Obe and has held workshops across various Nigerian cities.
With over 500 journalists registered for this year's session, Bolarinwa expressed hope that Polaris Bank would continue to enhance media support by bringing esteemed professionals to discuss emerging industry trends in future workshops.
The workshop featured diverse topics, including creativity, AI tools, and critical thinking.
Dr Chike Mgbeadichie, a Senior Lecturer at the Pan African University, provided insights into the application of AI tools in media practices, while Mr Lekan Otufodunrin, Executive Director of the Media Career Development Network, discussed the latest media trends, such as multimedia journalism, fact-checking, and data journalism.
Dr Mgbeadichie emphasized that participants would leave the workshop equipped to apply critical thinking and advanced AI tools in their work.
He outlined the benefits of these tools in the modern media landscape, from enhancing information synthesis and analysis to exploring new avenues for storytelling.
Mr Otufodunrin highlighted how journalists could use solutions journalism and tools like OSINT, journalism, and digital forensics to elevate their investigative capabilities, creating more impactful and engaging media content.
Journalists from across Nigeria, both in-person and online, praised the training.
Segun Adeleye, publisher of Worldstage, commended Polaris Bank for its unwavering commitment to promoting media excellence in Nigeria.
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