Journalists Tasked on AI, Monetising Creativity
Yinka Olatunbosun
Veteran journalist and Senior Vice Chairman/ Editor-in-Chief of Leadership Newspaper, Azu Ishiekwene, has tasked journalists, writers and students on the need to distinguish themselves by honing their writing skills and styles.
The author said that writers can accelerate their careers by finding their voice in their writings, embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) as a tool for effective writing and while not depending on it.
The book reading session was attended by young writers and journalists with the desire to learn how to monetise their writings using available resources for the target audience.
At the ‘Book Reading’ session for his book titled: ‘Writing for Media and Monetizing It’, held at Tayo Aderinokun Hall, University of Lagos, the journalist, who boasts of 35 years’ experience, stated how writers can earn money and live well on their craft and career as a writer.
With his book’s structure packed with 15 chapters, he declared that as a writer “the only way to find your voice is to use it.”
Ishiekwene set the tone of his book reading event while reading from the chapter one’s epigram, tapped from the journalist, Jane Muller.
He recounted his 35-year journey from scribbling love letters in school to writing an op-ed for The Guardian under his mentor and lecturer, Prof Olatunji Dare.
According to him, “You cannot find your voice without trying. Persistence is key while expanding your reading lists. Find a sparring partner or a mentor who tells you the bitter truths.”
While reflecting on the rise of Artificial Intelligence discussed in chapter nine of his book, he added: “AI is a tool. The choice about how it gets deployed is ours.”
He said other tools like Grammarly aid efficiency in writing. But he warned that “AI lacks human emotion. Your voice must remain predominant.”
The writer, however, gave tips on effective and sustained writing skills such as revise ruthlessly, use AI to draft but never let it dull your originality.
“AI can’t capture the mood in this room or a shaking head. It cuts drudgery, transcription, and distribution, so we focus on the story. Humans aren’t made for AI; AI is made for humans,” Azu stated.
The author buttressed that ‘Content is King’ echoing chapter 13 of his book anchored by Bill Gates’ epigram, while exploring making money as a content creator.
He called for specialised writing and being an expert or a brand in an aspect of writing endeavour like the ‘Financial Times for investors’ and being consistent in it, adding that gold is not found on the surface, hence dig persistently.
The convener summarised the Monetization Chapter by distilling success into three tenets, explaining that The Power of 1,000 cultivates a loyal niche which includes specializing what only you can do, and consistently growing it and earning the trust of your clients to know you’ll show up.
Addressing educators, the moderator, Prof Oyeniyi Adeosun, lamented the act of students submitting AI-generated work as she implored students to exhibit critical thinking.
“Don’t subsume creativity under algorithms. Use AI to scaffold your work, but let your voice, style, and emotions lead,” she urged.
The author, a native of Delta State, reflected on how he started writing and getting published in The Guardian as a University of Lagos (UNILAG) undergraduate.
Dignitaries present at the book reading included former media aide to ex- President Muhammadu Buhari, Femi Adesina; Editorial Board Chairman of The Nation, Sam Omatseye; former Managing Director of The Punch, Ademola Osinubi; current Managing Director of Punch, Adeyeye Joseph; former Chairman of Nigerian Guild of Editors, Gbenga Adefaye; Managing Director of THISDAY, Eniola Bello (Eni-B); Dr Adeniyi Adeosun, Prof Patrick Oloko, Life Coach and author, Niyi Adesanya, and Political Editor of The Nation, Emmanuel Oladesu.
