JOURNALISTIC WRITING|

GOOD WRITING SKILLS ARE REQUIRED IN JOURNALISTIC WRITING

By Maritim Kipngetich

FILE PHOTO: A reporter keying in a story. Good writing skills are required in journalism.

“One should know how to write very in journalism since journalism is basically about writing stories,” Mr. Makayo K Makayo, who teaches News Writing and Reporting at School of Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Nairobi, said.

Talking to three students who were in his class, he said there is no way one can be a good journalist if one has poor writing skills.

He stressed that for one to be a known and respectable journalist one is required to write stories which people can read and understand without difficulties.

Mr. Makayo, who introduced the lesson by testing the grammatical knowledge of the students, said sub-editors do not tolerate reporters whose stories are poorly written.

“Sub-editors are busy people who are required to edit different stories and they cannot stand poorly written news or feature stories,” he said.

He urged the students to write as many stories as possible in order to consolidate their writing skills. He said that would allow them to pass interviews when they will be applying for jobs in future.

Mr. Makayo, 60, is a veteran journalist who worked with the Nation Media Group as the reporter for the Daily Nation in 1980s and the Kenya Times in late 1990s before he became the lecturer at the University where is currently teaching News Writing and Reporting.