The School of Journalism and Media Studies (SOJAMS) at the University of Media, Arts and Communication (UniMAC) has kick-started a series of practical training sessions aimed at equipping students with real-life skills for the media industry.

The series is set to feature veteran reporters and broadcasters as facilitators, including highly sought-after names in the media profession.

The first session took place on Friday, March 27, 2026, and featured ace broadcaster and TV3 New Day co-host, Beatrice Adu.

Ms. Adu highlighted the growing relevance of social media, describing it as a form of “currency” in today’s media landscape.

According to her, many individuals are leveraging social platforms to create content and generate income, but she warned that credibility must not be compromised.

“Build your social, and thank me later but be credible, because that comes with it,” she advised.

During her nearly 60-minute presentation, she encouraged students to make use of available tools, including digital platforms, to verify information before publication.

“We should be able to talk about what the problem is and verify it,” she said, stressing that accuracy remains a key pillar of journalism.

She cautioned that in the course of their work, journalists will encounter difficult situations that test their ethics and professionalism, urging students not to allow such circumstances to derail their work.

The Friday afternoon session forms part of efforts by SOJAMS to prepare students for the evolving demands of the media industry.

Dean of SOJAMS, Etse Sikanku, who was present at the event, described the workshop as a key complement to what students study in the lecture halls.

He stressed the crucial role of practical education in media practice.

“It is not about getting a first-class degree. A first-class degree can show that you think and you can make sense of an event,” he noted. “But can you apply that in a real-world setting?”

He encouraged students to attend such sessions, reminding them that this is why they chose to study journalism.

The seminar room where the event was held was filled to capacity, as students, most of whom were in their first year, followed the session intently.

Following the event, students had the opportunity to interact closely with Ms. Adu and take photographs with her.

Award-winning journalist Portia Gabor is set to be the next guest in the SOJAMS training series, as the school continues efforts to expose students to practical insights beyond traditional classroom learning.

The School of Journalism and Media Studies believes such engagements will provide students with real-world perspectives that textbooks and other learning materials may not fully capture.