Zim journos hailed

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The International Federation of Journalists Africa Office programmes officer Pa Louis Thomasi has hailed local journalists for being ahead of the rest of the continent, as far as the use of new media is concerned.

The International Federation of Journalists Africa Office programmes officer Pa Louis Thomasi has hailed local journalists for being ahead of the rest of the continent, as far as the use of new media is concerned.

Stephen Chadenga

Speaking at a Zimbabwe Union of Journalists (Zuj) training workshop on ICTs, in Gweru last Friday, Thomasi said Zimbabwean journalists were the first to introduce online papers on the continent and this showed advancement in using ICTs.

“The first journalists to come up with online papers were Zimbabwean journalists based in the United Kingdom,” he said.

“This shows the extent of advancement of local journalists in using new media in a continent where others find it hard to use computers.”

Thomasi urged local scribes to keep up the spirit of embracing new media in their work, saying it was vital in the present global trends, where ICTs formed a major part of modern journalism.

Addressing journalists at the same occasion, ZUJ acting president Michael Chideme said journalists should be well versed in new media technologies, if they were to remain relevant in the job market.

“No employer would want to give a job to a driver, photographer and reporter,” he said. “Make sure you combine all these into one and you will remain relevant.”