By Candy Margaret Vizengwa

On March 8, Journalism students from New Media Production and Broadcast screenwriting International classes embarked on an insightful media tour at the Standard Group, coinciding with International Women’s Day. Led by Miss Keziah Githinji, the tour provided a unique opportunity for students to delve into the dynamic world of media production.

The warm reception from Rose Kariuki, Head of Customer Service, and Eugine Onyango, our tour guide, set the tone for an enriching experience. Radio Maisha became our initial stop, unraveling the intricacies of radio production. Ignatius Openje, the Social Media manager and Producer at Spice FM, shared valuable insights into the strategic foresight of Spice FM and Vybez Radio. What became clear during this immersive experience was the strategic foresight embodied by Spice FM. The station's deliberate and substantial investment in the audio-visual facet of radio broadcasting undoubtedly positions it as the vanguard of the radio industry's future.

Transitioning into TV production with sports journalist Hassan Juma, the students explored the profound impact of USIU-Africa on his journalistic journey. They were taken through how it goes down with sports editing and TV production.

The tour extended to the print team, led by Andy Kagwa, the operations editor at the Standard Group, shedding light on the convergence of print and digital newsrooms for timely content generation. The convergence, highlighted by Mr. Kagwa, was implemented by Standard Group's CEO Orlando Lyomu in November 2021, marking a significant stride into the digital age. The tour concluded with a glimpse into the print production room, revealing the craftsmanship behind ink meeting paper.

The experience underlines the power of shared knowledge and emphasizes the need for aspiring media professionals to engage in similar immersive opportunities, as they navigate the ever-evolving landscape of media.