A section of journalism students voiced their concern over the hiring of unprofessional individuals in the media industry during the launch of the 2023 media fest at Africa Renewal University (ARU) on October 24. They claim that some media owners are turning to social media influencers and comedians, often referred to as ‘cheap’ talent, to cut costs, leaving professionally trained journalists unemployed.
Mr. Ivan Ssozi, a student at ARU, expressed his frustration, saying, “We invest significant time and money in our education with the expectation of securing employment in our chosen field. However, we find ourselves competing with so-called social media unprofessional content creators, including comedians and TikTokers.”
A female student, who had part-time employment at a radio station in Kampala, disclosed that she and her colleagues were let go in favor of TikTok comedians. She stated, “The director preferred hiring TikTokers over us, despite the role we played in building the station’s brand. Even when the general manager offered to resign, the boss chose to employ these inexpensive unprofessionals.”
Mr. Ronald Muteesa, another ARU student, called on government bodies, such as the Uganda Communications Commission (UCC) and the Media Council, to establish regulations and guidelines governing who can work as a journalist or leader in a newsroom. He argued that acting unprofessionally on air could reflect negatively on the entire journalism community.
In response to their concerns, Shadow Minister for Information, Joyce Bagala Ntwatwa, who presided over the event, urged the students to maintain their professionalism. She reassured them that comedians, despite entering the profession, would not supplant trained journalists.
Ms. Ntwatwa advised the students to diversify their skills and knowledge in the media industry, emphasizing the importance of being well-versed in various aspects such as broadcasting, print journalism, photography, and production to remain competitive.
During the event, the students paid tribute to four deceased media professionals, including former NTV reporter Rosemary Nankabirwa, former UBC news anchor Francis Bbale, veteran radio host Daniel Kyazze, and former WBS TV news anchor Nuliat Nambaziira. These individuals were honored for their significant contributions to the journalism field.
Ms. Oliver Taremwa, the Head of the Journalism and Multimedia Communication Department at ARU, noted that the students actively participated in organizing the media fest and chose to commemorate these respected figures who had greatly impacted the profession.
The media fest’s culmination is scheduled for November 7, during which students will showcase their skills in print, broadcast, and multimedia journalism.
