The Daily Trust Foundation, in collaboration with the Zamfara State Government, has successfully concluded a 10-day intensive training workshop for 11 senior editors of the Zamfara Media Corporation.
The event, which ran from August 9 to August 20, 2026, was designed to strengthen the capacity of the state-owned multimedia platforms in line with global best practices.
The lead facilitator was Dr Abdullahi Tasiu Abubakar, Director of Post-Graduate Studies at City St George’s University of London. He was joined by Dr Theophilus Abbah, Programme Director of the Daily Trust Foundation; Mr Damilola Ojetunde, Data Editor at BBC Africa; and Mr Gaza Yakubu of Trust TV. The topics explored are as follows:
Digital First Newsroom
Participants explored strategies for prioritizing digital platforms in news dissemination. The focus was on shifting from print-first to digital-first workflows, ensuring that breaking news reaches audiences instantly across websites, apps, and social media.
Multimedia Storytelling
The Senior Editors learned how to combine text, audio, video, and graphics to create compelling narratives. The training emphasized the importance of integrating multiple formats to enrich audience experience and deepen engagement.
Audience Engagement
This session highlighted techniques for building trust and loyalty among readers, viewers, and listeners. It covered interactive tools, feedback loops, and analytics-driven approaches to understanding audience preferences.
Social Media Governance
Facilitators took participants through the current information ecosystem, providing examples of how misinformation, disinformation, and malinformation could be detected. The session also explored policies and ethical guidelines for managing official media accounts. The training stressed responsible use of social platforms, safeguarding credibility, and preventing reputational risks.
Safety for Journalists Covering Conflicts
Editors were trained on risk assessment, protective measures, and ethical considerations when reporting in volatile environments. Practical tips on personal safety and digital security were shared.
Data Journalism and Visualization
The Editors were introduced to techniques for analyzing datasets and presenting findings through charts, infographics, and interactive visuals. The goal was to make complex information accessible and engaging.
Fact-Checking and Verification
The workshop emphasized rigorous verification processes, teaching editors how to authenticate sources, images, and videos before publication. This was positioned as a cornerstone of credible journalism.
Text Editing for Print and Websites
Participants revisited the fundamentals of editing for clarity, accuracy, and style. The session covered differences between writing for print, digital and broadcast, with emphasis on speed and precision in online publishing.
Audio and Video Editing
Hands-on training was provided on editing tools for broadcast and online platforms. Editors practiced refining raw footage and audio recordings into polished, professional content.
At the closing ceremony, the Chairman of Daily Trust Foundation, Malam Bilya Bala, urged journalists to embrace continuous learning: “Journalists must up their game in the age of social media. They must learn new approaches to news gathering, news process, and information dissemination. In the past, we would wait for a newspaper to be printed to read the news in the morning. Today, the situation is different. We read the news instantly. Journalists who work with government-owned media organizations must rise to the new challenge.”
On his part, Malam Bello Abdullahi Gusau, Managing Director of Zamfara State Media Corporation, praised the impact of the training: “From my interactions with the participants, they have learned a lot during this training. Some of them have not been trained on the job for over a decade. Governor Dauda Lawal is determined to rewrite the story of the media in Zamfara State. He has invested in state-of-the-art infrastructure to revamp the sector. In the same vein, we are training the personnel who will manage the infrastructure to ensure we have world-class multimedia establishments in the state.”
This initiative marks a significant step in repositioning Zamfara’s media landscape, equipping editors with modern skills to meet the demands of today’s fast-paced communication environment.
