Young people pursuing journalism and communication studies have been admonished to be true to the tenets of the profession in exposing societal ills, inspiring positivity, and creating social impacts, instead of seeking quick riches.

News Editor with The Multimedia Group, Kofi Adu Domfeh, cautioned that aspiring professionals risk failure as the financial rewards are slim compared to the potential to shape society.

Students of the KNUST Department of Media and Communication Studies were admonished to identify their niche and develop their specialty to improve society through their work.

The 2025 Media and Communication Studies Association (MECSA) Forum was themed "Media Matters; Empowering the Next Generation of Communicators".

The forum explored means for aspiring communicators and journalists to become effective, practical, creative, and strategic thinkers in today’s media landscape.

The forum assembled seasoned media practitioners, including the News Editor with the Multimedia Group, Kofi Adu Domfeh, Broadcast Journalist, Nana Kwadwo Jantuah and Kessben TV Host and brand Strategist, Nana Osei-Kesse.

Concerns over the fading culture of student journalism on campuses became topical.

A seasoned voice in journalism, and climate change advocate, Kofi Adu Domfeh, advised young aspiring professionals to develop a mindset of putting societal impact above riches in their professional pursuit.

He urged students to revive the culture of student journalism by honing reporting and writing skills and seizing networking opportunities.

“Journalism is not a profession for those who want to be affluent or make riches overnight. All the things we do are to bring forth the ills of society, highlight the positives of society for others to be inspired, but most essentially to make an impact. Do not let shady influences sway you from the goal of making an impact in society.

“Take advantage of networking opportunities. Seek specialization in areas of interest like environment, fashion, entertainment, politics, climate change, etc. to make an impact. And you may not know how you are feeding bodies and societies positively with your specialization,” said Domfeh.

Students had the opportunity to engage and connect with the experts and professionals from the public relations, journalism, and advertising sector.

The program offered valuable insights and career advice as well as equipped students with essential skills in media relations, public relations, and advertising.

Broadcast Journalist, Nana Kwadwo Jantuah, crediting his success in the media landscape to the power of volunteering, urged students to embrace it as a fundamental step toward achievement in life and career.

“If you don’t develop the spirit of volunteering, you may not succeed in life and in the profession. It’s just the basic rules of gaining power in the landscape. For someone who read building technology, and excelling in the media space, only took the idea and execution of assisting and pursuing an interest for free.

“All the people speaking to you today, with all their experiences and insights they share with you, began from the space of volunteering, and opening themselves up for learning, and molding,” he said.

Brand Strategist, Nana Osei-Kesse, admonished the students to uphold when he termed “Madman Theory”, by being consistent, disciplined and not acting normal to be able to succeed.

He says by adhering to the principle of value added task, young graduates will attract unique opportunities.

President of the Media and Communication Studies Association, Linda Ayesu, says the experience gained will help bridge the knowledge and information gap among aspiring and potential professionals of the media landscape.

“The insights and experiences from the professionals in the media landscape were incredibly valuable to us as aspiring media practitioners. I believe that our concerns on matters pertaining to journalism have undoubtedly been addressed, letting us set a high standard and getting us encouraged to engage actively with the theme at hand,” she said.