The Point
Newspaper recently received 15 students from Essau Senior Secondary School
press club with the ambition of becoming journalists in future.
The courtesy call by the students, led by the club’s teacher coordinator, Musa Janko, was meant to expose the aspiring students in the journalism field and what the profession is all about.
The group comprised students in Grade 10, 11 and 12 who are studying various fields of commerce, science and arts.
Point Managing Director Pap Saine briefed them on the history of the inception of The Point, its commitment and achievements both national and internationally over the decades, and encouraged them in their aspirations to became journalists.
Saine informed them on the need for basic knowledge in the execution of the profession, adding that a professional journalist needs to ensure the accuracy of his or her write up before publication.
He also informed them that it is not easy to establish a media house, considering the costs involved.
He commended the government for the establishment of a journalism school at the University of The Gambia.
Point Editor-in-Chief Ousman Kagbo and news editor, Modou Sanyang, both highlighted on the challenges of the profession, and informed them of the need for dedication and commitment in the execution of the job.
The visit, according to Musa Janko, was also meant for the students to get the necessary information regarding journalism, to equip them to become very good journalists in the future.
“As an individual, I have seen journalism as a significant area where one can serve his community through dissemination of relevant information to the world.
“I have seen journalism as the most effective area that I can make use of in order to better serve the society, as it deals with information,” he added.
For a society to be aware and to make inform choices, they need to be informed, and when the information is lacking that society becomes deformed, he went on.
The Young Writers Association’s president, Cherno Jawara, said journalism is their ambition; that was why they decided to visit various media houses, as information is power to a society.
“We are here to meet with chiefs of media house to know the requirements and gateway to the profession,” he said.