Monday, August 3, 2009

NEXT (daily) takes off; newspaper design experts Mario Garcia and Ron Reason get a look-in


Timbuktu media, publishers of NEXT newspaper, which has published online since December, Sunday editions since January, goes daily in a few weeks!! [Cue the drum roll, please!]

The excitement can only be imagined, as this is a project I have a personal and professional stake in, as a reporter. In a country where there are more losses than gains for practicing journalism transparently, it is only a passion for change that has kept the team at NEXT (led by Dele Olojede) striving. To continually match the thrust of our stories with world-class standards, newspaper content and design experts Dr. Mario Garcia [pictured] and Ron Reason have been here at NEXT for all of two weeks to train and share and encourage all of us. There's one more week of their visit to go but already, the newsroom is changing for even greater heights, right before our very eyes!
Dr. Garcia is actually huuge, in the professional sense! He has been a professor at the Syracuse University Newhouse School of Journalism and worked with over 450 news organizations worldwide. Added to that is his contagious passion for journalism that has been so inspiring. Catch him on http://garciamedia.com/
Mr. Ron Reason is a newspaper consultant-designer-editor and has been in the business for over 20 years. Visit http://ronreason.com/ and see why we wish he'd just migrate permanently to these parts.
It's been a pleasure (and privilege) meeting these guys and learning from them...NEXT sure is the best place to be as regards journalism in Nigeria right about now!

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