In the heart of Lagos, seven middle-aged women, jolly good friends from a certain Estate united for a fun night. Life had taken them down varied paths—corporate managers, homemakers and entrepreneurs—but they held their bond fiercely. This time, they were together to celebrate Adanna’s 50th birthday (fictional name and age, but true story). A club night had been the unanimous choice, something to bring back the zest of their younger days. Days of planning went into this night, with contributions pulled from spouses and mutual friends. When the funds were gathered, they decided they could afford one of the biggest clubs in Lagos but had to be thrifty on the actual spending. The choice was made: they’d secure a cabana, order bottles of wine, some plates of spicy chicken suya, and some bottled water. The grandeur was set, and for that night, they would be "big girls" in Lagos. What they didn’t know however was that their thoughts were mere dreams of what was to be and not th
JOURNAL OF THE JOURNALIST NEXT DOOR - Keeping the Pace in Mass Communication: Balancing Urgency and Credibility
Yesterday, I found myself staring at a long list of urgent assignments on my desk. Each one demanded immediate attention, requiring quick responses and decisive action. In the world of mass communication, this is a familiar scenario—information needs to be delivered promptly, and the pressure to stay ahead can be immense. But, as I worked through those tasks, I was reminded of a crucial truth: speed must never come at the expense of credibility. The challenge of balancing urgency with believability is one I’ve learned to navigate. It wasn’t just about completing the tasks on my list but ensuring that every output was trustworthy and accurate. In the rush to meet deadlines, it’s tempting to push through without taking the necessary steps to verify facts or cross-check details. However, this could lead to misinformation or a loss of trust—two things no communicator can afford. Yesterday was a prime example of what mass communication demands today: efficiency paired with credibility. I ha