Wangu Kanuri from Kenya and Godwin Asediba from Ghana are two of this year's finalists for Thomson's Young Journalist of the Year Award. The pair are runners-up in the prestigious competition. Here they reflect on how they strive to create impactful stories and they share advice for other young journalists.
Wangu Kanuri is hoping to embark on a master's degree in climate policy. The multimedia journalist submitted a powerful climate story for the competition in which she exposed the suffering of children and teachers working in classrooms that are 'like ovens'. Wangu was unable to trave to London for the ceremony because of visa delays.
Using the right language
Wangu's language skills led to her translating movies for platforms like Netflix when she was a student. It's a skill she now puts to good use to ensure the lives of people who may otherwise remain hidden, are seen and heard. Most of her interviews for Nation Media Group are conducted in Kiswahili which she says she can adapt for each interviewee. "I am able to frame my questions in a way that they will understand and give me feedback that is appropriate and I won't misrepresent them," she says. It's also a way to build trust and get people to open up. Wangu cites one interview with a woman cooking maize next to a bus stop during the night to make ends meet. Wangu spoke to her in Kikuyu and Kiswahili. "I mixed the languages for her...which was really pivotal in writing the story, because she opened up quite a bit," she says.
To all the young journalists out there, just dare to be different
Godwin Asediba says the recognition that comes from Thomson 'shows that all the risks I have taken in telling my stories...was worth it'. In London, the investigative journalist participated in a mobile journalism masterclass and met senior editors at renowned newsrooms including the BBC, The Guardian and Channel 4 News.
Stories that have impact
Godwin's determination to create impact with his stories is reflected in one he submitted for the competition which involves undercover filming for TV3 at a hospital morgue. He captured horrific images of rotting corpses which prompted promises of action by the authorities. But he returned two years later to find the situation unchanged. "I believe that as a journalist, once we tell a story and you want it to make an impact, and you don't get that impact, you need to keep hammering on the issue so that it gets the right people to do what they're supposed to do and you get the impact that you're looking for," says Godwin. He says that being able to share his experiences and learn from senior journalists in London was really 'insightful'.
Our runners-up advice for young journalists
Both Wangu and Godwin accept there are sometimes physical and digital risks that go with their jobs. Godwin says that after the morgue story he suffered trauma. Wangu adds, "Some stories that I write are too heavy...they don't just end when I press send on my emails." But despite the risks and pressure, both love the profession they have chosen and share a desire to tell stories that matter. Wangu's top tip for young journalists is to read as much as possible and practice writing skills while Godwin says that storytelling is about daring to be different. He advises, "To all the young journalists out there, just dare to be different and pitch ideas that haven't been done before."
