A call has gone to journalists globally to start understanding how the public views them in the line of duty in order to win back their audience.
Richard Gingras, Vice President News Google, made the call on Tuesday while delivering a keynote address at the opening of the West Africa Journalism Innovation Conference (WAJIC) held in Abuja.
The two-day event, which drew practitioners and stakeholders from across West Africa, is initiated by the Centre For Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID).
At the opening session, Gingras, who was a keynote speaker, noted that understanding audience, carrying out research and innovations as very key if journalists must demonstrate professionalism.
The speaker proceeded by challenging the media on needs to address various predicaments plaguing communities via adequate coverages, revive dying advertising and revenue drives to stay in business.
According to him, practitioners should ask necessary questions before reaching a conclusion, adding: “We should know our onions and know the right phrase to use in the line of duty.”
He then advocated that to improve efficiency in the media, the use of technology and possible collaborations among practitioners must be imbibed.
Gingras, at the event described Mr. Dapo Olorunyomi and the centre as inspiring.