The Osun State chapter of the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN) recently organized a seminar on professionalism in sports journalism, highlighting the need for practitioners to adapt to the changing landscape of sports journalism. The event, held at the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre in Osogbo, featured discussions on embracing new media while upholding professional standards. The seminar aimed to equip sports journalists with the skills and knowledge required to thrive in the evolving media landscape.
The chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, Adeyemi Aboderin, urged SWAN members to acquire relevant qualifications to enhance their professional progression. He emphasized the importance of professional credentials within the association and the wider journalism industry, noting that relevant certifications would help members avoid possible disqualification during elections. Aboderin encouraged members to take advantage of programs offered by the International Institute of Journalism (IIJ) to boost their qualifications.
Tunde Shamsudeen, a speaker at the seminar, emphasized the need for sports journalists to maximize the opportunities provided by new media. He stressed that the speed of digital platforms should not compromise accuracy, urging journalists to thoroughly investigate information before publication. Shamsudeen's lecture, titled "The Modern Sports Journalist: Tools, Truth and Trust in New Media," highlighted the importance of balancing speed and accuracy in sports journalism.
Shina Abubakar, Chairman of the Osun Correspondents Chapel of the NUJ, charged journalists to remain committed to investigative journalism. He emphasized the importance of balance in reporting, urging journalists to contact all parties involved and give them an opportunity to respond before publication. Abubakar's goodwill message encouraged journalists to uphold the highest standards of professionalism in their reporting.
The General Manager of the Osun State Sports Council, Ademola Daini, called on SWAN to be proactive in its activities and urged members to ask questions on issues affecting sports development in the state. Representing the Chairman of the Osun State Football Association, Sola Fanawopo, the association's Secretary, Amoo Abayomi, assured SWAN of the FA's continued partnership and support. The event was attended by sports administrators, stakeholders, and former chairmen of the association.
The seminar featured the decoration of four new patrons of Osun SWAN – Olayiwola Olafiranye, Adamu Mohammed, Timothy Folaranmi, and Michael Omage. The new patrons expressed appreciation to Osun SWAN for the honour and pledged their partnership and support for the association. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to engage with the association and reaffirm their commitment to its growth and development.
The Chairman of Osun SWAN, Timothy Agbor, expressed appreciation to the founding fathers of the association for their contributions to its growth. Agbor, represented by his Vice Chairman, Seun Omolola, noted that the association remained committed to strengthening its relationship with stakeholders and was ready to partner with relevant individuals and organizations for the development of sports in Osun State. The seminar demonstrated the association's commitment to promoting professionalism and excellence in sports journalism.
Key points
- The Osun State SWAN seminar emphasized the need for sports journalists to adapt to the changing landscape of sports journalism and maximize opportunities in new media.
- The event featured discussions on professionalism, new media, and the importance of acquiring relevant qualifications for career progression.
- The seminar was attended by sports administrators, stakeholders, and former chairmen of the association, who reaffirmed their commitment to the growth and development of Osun SWAN.
