AS I sit down to pen my final instalment of the Digital Digest, it feels both surreal and bittersweet.
Almost five years ago, I stepped into an empty digital newsroom, a desk buried beneath two years of dust and neglect.
The digital platforms were crying out for attention, existing in an indeterminate state while the world outside spun faster into the digital age.
My mission was clear: transform this forsaken space into a vibrant hub of multimedia storytelling that not only informed but engaged a growing audience.
It did not take long to realise that building from the ground up means confronting resistance, particularly from those at higher echelons who clung to outdated notions of what journalism should be.
In the early days, any proposal brought forth, from revamping our sluggish websites to producing quality multimedia content, met with raised eyebrows and dismissive huffs. “We've always done it this way,” they said, not realising that “this way” was rapidly becoming a relic of the past.
But I stood my ground, inspired by the belief that digital transformation was not just vital; it was non-negotiable.
The digital landscape was evolving with the speed of a cat meme going viral, yet those who held the reins seemed oblivious.
- Malawi chiefs shut down Chinese owned mines
- Malawi chiefs shut down Chinese owned mines
- Byo hosts annual media summit
- Feature: Pigeon rearing changes man’s life
Keep Reading
They chuckled when we introduced the mighty “Talking Paper,” our innovative product that combined traditional journalism with cutting-edge technology. Our All-in-One mobile App was magic, integrating all our websites into a friendly application available on the go.
“Who needs audio when you have print?” they joked, blissfully unaware of the seismic shifts happening beyond our newsroom walls.
Despite this, we managed to cultivate a remarkable audience, taking NewsDay X (formerly Twitter) from 411 000 to 725 000 in three years, website traffic from 500 000 to 5 million, and the Facebook community to over a million.
It took relentless promotion, engaging posts on social media platforms, making sure we are pushing #LIVE updates for every event, and a commitment to following the audience’s lead in terms of content preferences.
Each meeting transformed into a battleground where I fought to position ourselves as trailblazers rather than apologists for an antiquated model.
Each small win was met with gritted teeth, but we would often pat ourselves on the shoulder when competition would praise us for the good work we were doing.
The day we surpassed conventional traffic metrics, I half-expected my colleagues to ask me how I had hacked the mainframe.
No, dear reader, it was just the power of believing in what journalism could be in an increasingly digital world.
Looking back, I hope my successors will take the opportunity to instil trust in expertise.
They need to remember that dismissing digital strategies is akin to refusing to guard the castle while its walls crumble.
These walls, our structures and strategies, must evolve to reflect the changing tides of journalism.
What good is an organisation that refuses to invest in its future?
What good is a company if it chooses ignorance over insight?
A brave new era awaits and we must not remain shackled to the old world by a reluctance to adapt.
The vision I fought for was never about me. It was about creating a lasting legacy for those who believe knowledge, innovation and bold ideas should lead the way.
Each article published, each video created, was not just content; it represented a commitment to quality and connection.
I long for a time when those at the helm view expertise not as a burden but as a beacon guiding us through the murky waters of digital discontent.
Until then, I will choose to be a digital phoenix, rising elsewhere and leaving behind this castle, occupied but underperforming.
The irony of it all is not lost on me.
I stepped into this field to tell impactful stories, yet I often felt more like a jester in a court that revered mediocrity.
In a world where everything, from pizza to perspectives, is delivered at the click of a button, we remain shackled in circumstance.
So, dear readers, while my journey here may have reached its conclusion, I remain hopeful. It’s time for someone to take the reins and continue the push for a future in journalism that reflects the vibrant, ever-evolving landscape we all crave.
I do believe that one day, there will be structures necessary to embrace change and truly invest in its potential.
Until that day comes, I bid you a fond farewell and a hopeful “press on!”
- Silence Mugadzaweta is digital & online editor for Alpha Media Holdings and content strategies blogger for International News Media Association.
