Prominent television and radio personality Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa has urged budding journalist to desist from abusing social media but use it for income generation in a good way.
By Simbarashe Macheso
Addressing Christian College Of Southern Africa (CCOSA) journalism students at a belated commemoration of International Women’s Day, Ruvheneko said media consumers respect people who are serious in building their career.
“If we as journalists and the generation of today take advantage of this gap and make sure we use this platform professionally, we are showing that this can be a revenue generating stream and we make it that we are content creators, news and entertainment providers,” she said.
The former ZiFM talk show host rubbished the assertion that social media was leading to the death of journalism.
“Journalism is not dying. Social media and mobile phones are opening avenues such as an increased number in appointment view. Your mobile phone is the only screen you spend a day looking at, so one can use social media to create content that targets consumers on their mobile phones.
“With the rise of appointment viewing, human beings have now been conditioned to watch things when they want to watch them, and to some extent traditional media is being forced out,” explained Ruvheneko.
Turning to female journalism students, she said for women to flourish, they should take their profession seriously.
“There is need for our female journalists in training to keep their heads high. You really need to be someone who dresses properly and has principles. Avoid entertaining sources that tell you ‘we need to meet for lunch’ when what you need is a story,” she added.
