The importance to give voice to societal issues
Get to know the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents 2020 scholarship awardee Oluwafisayo Okare. Nigeran native Okare is currently a student at Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism, having received a first-class degree in Mass Communication from Pan-Atlantic University in Lagos. Before moving to America, she worked as a financial journalist covering the Nigerian economy. Okare spoke with the AFPC-USA about her journey to becoming a journalist and how media works in her home country:
Why did you decide to become a journalist? And why did you travel to America to get a journalism master’s degree?
Growing up, I found it difficult to express myself and I wanted to be as expressive as the hosts and journalists I saw on TV. When I was still in middle school, my mum’s cousin used to live with us, and one day, she had her schoolmate over at the house. While talking to her, I asked what she was studying in school, and she said Mass Communication. I didn’t know what it was; she pointed to the TV, and I think I can still remember saying, “I want to do that too”. Essentially, I finally had a name for what I was going to study in college.
I became a journalist from my own experience as a young girl who felt voiceless in certain situations while growing up. And as I grew older, I understood how important it is to give voice to societal issues, especially when it comes to marginalized voices and issues.
Upon finishing my bachelor’s degree in mass communication, and acquiring some work experience back home, I wanted to further build my expertise. Many of my professors in undergrad had spoken highly and admirably of Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. I began to aspire to study there even before completing my undergraduate education. So, when I started applying to schools for a master’s degree, Columbia University in New York was one of the first schools I applied to.
How do journalism and media work in your home country Nigeria?
Freedom of the press in Nigeria is supported by the constitution. Unfortunately, in practice, the government still controls the media. Right now, Twitter has been banned in the country which claims to practice democracy and believe in freedom of speech. Legislators and state ministers have also announced their plans to amend an act to regulate social media. Although they are still debating it, this is representative of the media space in Nigeria—one where government officials seek to silence the media because they feel threatened by journalists and citizens who are courageous enough to uncover corrupt government practices and broken institutions. Still, Nigerian journalists remain fierce and determined, fighting against a system of oppression.
What are the benefits of studying journalism at a university?
At Columbia University, I have learned the best practices of journalism regarding media law, sourcing, reporting, and analysis. In a world where anyone can pick up a laptop, type, and self-publish information, learning journalism in a university environment has equipped me with the best tools and knowledge of the trade. It has also given me direct access to credible veterans in the industry to learn from. While there are many ways to attain journalism certification, studying journalism in a university environment certifies you as a professional in the field.
Why did you decide to join the AFPC-USA?
I joined the Association of Foreign Press Correspondents in the USA because of the values that the association upholds, and particularly because of its commitment to encourage and support journalists to further their education through scholarships, educational tools, and talks, which I have benefited from while studying in New York.
What are your plans/hopes for your future in journalism?
As a Nigerian, as a citizen of a frontier economy, I believe that one of the best ways of empowering people is through good quality information. I have always been acutely aware of the negative impact that false news, scarce information, and ineffective policies have on the populace. This has driven my career goal of providing accurate and reliable information. I realized while working as a Financial Journalist in Nigeria that people’s lack of access to this information is not just because it is unavailable, but because it is written in jargon that makes it difficult for the majority to comprehend. So, as I graduate in August, my immediate goal is to continue working in the Financial Journalism field to deliver original, analytical, well-written stories that make sense of information for readers and provide a platform to voice our citizens’ concerns in the world we inhabit.