Mass Communication department at Skyline University Nigeria (SUN) has yesterday, April 16th 2025, hosted Mr. Naziru Mika’il, a former editor-in-chief of Daily Trust, for a guest lecture session for the students of Mass Communication. The virtual event, facilitated by Mr. Usman Balarabe Bello, a lecturer from the Department of Mass Communication, was titled ‘Journalism in the Digital Era’.
During his lecture, Mr. Mika’il explored how the advent of digital technology has redefined news gathering, reporting, and distribution. He emphasized that while traditional journalism values such as accuracy, fairness, and objectivity remain paramount, journalists today must adapt to the speed and demands of online platforms. According to him, the rise of social media and citizen journalism presents both opportunities and challenges, requiring journalists to be more vigilant in verifying information before dissemination.
He further discussed the growing importance of multimedia skills for modern journalists. Mr. Mika’il urged students to develop competencies beyond writing, such as video editing, podcast production, data visualization, and the strategic use of social media platforms for storytelling. He noted that audiences today consume news in diverse formats, and the ability to deliver content across multiple channels increases a journalist’s relevance and career prospects.
The guest speaker also touched on ethical issues in digital journalism, stressing that the pressure to be first should never outweigh the responsibility to be truthful. He highlighted real-world cases where misinformation caused public panic and underscored the need for media organizations to implement rigorous fact-checking procedures. Mr. Mika’il encouraged the students to prioritize credibility and professionalism, noting that in the digital age, trust is the most valuable currency for any journalist.
At the end of the session, students engaged Mr. Mika’il with a series of insightful questions, ranging from the future of investigative journalism to the role of artificial intelligence in newsrooms. He expressed optimism that despite the challenges, journalism would continue to thrive as long as practitioners remain committed to ethical standards and innovation. The Department of Mass Communication at SUN expressed its gratitude to Mr. Mika’il for sharing his experience and reaffirmed its commitment to preparing students for the dynamic world of modern journalism.
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