Print Media will continue to be relevant – Kolapo
Globally, the emergence of social media has given drive to citizen journalism, but the question of credibility of much information on social media platforms still remains an issue.
This leads many concerned consumers of information on social media to cross-check those information on traditional media’s online or offline sources for authenticity.
In the face of this and backing up argument that traditional media will still remain relevant, the Managing Director of the Point Newspaper, a weekly tabloid, Yemi Kolapo, told journalists recently that digital will only play complementary roles to, especially hard copy newspapers.
She discountenanced the insinuation in some quarters that digital media is a threat to traditional media. She strongly believes that the Nigerian audience relies on traditional media for news authenticity. “Print Media still remains the most credible and trusted source of information to readers across board”.
Further assessing the media landscape , she said ‘’First, let me commend the leadership of the Newspapers Proprietors’ Association of Nigeria (NPAN), and other promoters of print media platforms for their efforts to promote professionalism in the industry. They should not rest on their oars; rather they should buckle up more by encouraging newspaper owners to provide robust Online Versions of their newspapers that would complement the hard copies”.
“No discerning reader will give regard to a story posted at the corner of the room of an unknown blogger more than the one written by a trained journalist and produced through a standard process. Even at that, newspapers must follow the emerging trend and compete on the social media. For instance, top stories on The Point have begun to attract over a thousand reactions/comments online, by respected Nigerians across all fields, ’’
In all, Kolapo, who insisted that there would always be market for print media, likened The Point to a super market, where everyone, across all strata finds something of interest to read. ‘’We offer a newspaper in the mood of super market for everyone to key into his or area of interest.
To excel in newspaper business, Kolapo, who was a former Special Assistant on Media to a former Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Olusegun Aganga, tasked stakeholders to encourage investigative journalism that would enhance exclusivity of reports.
Speaking on what has been keeping her organisation going despite various challenges; Kolapo was quick to say – ‘exclusivity.’ According to her, the decision of the team to do things differently by breaking exclusive stories was the magic.
‘’From the word go, we set a goal and the goal was to break news and this has not only helped us to grow, it has helped us to command respect in various quarters. We know that the sky is big but we were committed to fly faster and farther, hence the need for originality and exclusivity. Overtime, newspapers like THISDAY, Punch, Guardian and BusinessDay, to mention a few, have excelled in the market place because of the exclusivity of particular stories.
She pointed out that despite the economic recession that was at its peak and the fact that many Nigerians had embraced social media as source of information when The Point was launched in 2016; the decision of the team to do things differently has been the saving grace. She also pointed out that passion is important to excel in newspaper business.
Daniel Obi