Getting real about media

The University of Namibia’s media society recently hosted a media lecture day under the theme ‘The Reality of the Media Industry’.

The event drew over 50 students eager to understand the professional landscape they are about to enter.

The keynote speaker, The Namibian editor Johnathan Beukes, said while university theory provides a necessary foundation, the actual work of building a career serves as the true anchor in the industry.

Beukes highlighted the systemic challenges facing traditional outlets today.

He described the DNA of social media platforms like Facebook, TikTok, and X as fundamentally flawed for traditional journalism.

“In a world where speed is prioritised over accuracy, professional journalists find themselves competing with ordinary citizens who have the luxury of publishing without the constraints of ethical standards or rigorous fact-checking,” he said.

The editor said the economic reality is equally taxing. While local media houses may have hundreds of thousands of followers, they often provide content for free, whereas global tech giants reap the financial rewards of that engagement.

This comes at a time when newsrooms are still recovering from the financial impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and a decrease in advertising spend from both the government and the private sector.

Industry speakers such as Elago Shitatala and Priskila Mukobabi at the event shared their personal struggles and triumphs, illustrating that despite the hardships, the industry remains a vital pillar of society.

They argued that Namibian media continues to produce the expertise to highlight lapses in governance and provide a platform for the voiceless.

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