By Zaria Mwai

On November 13, students from the Print Media and Techniques (JRN 2202) class visited Nation Media Group for an industry exposure trip led by their lecturer, Dr. Daniel Omondi, Assistant Professor of Communication. The visit aimed to help students understand how newsroom operations shape daily print and broadcast production.

The class toured the newsroom where editors, designers, and reporters assemble content for both print and digital platforms. Andrew Anini, the Chief Graphic Designer, explained how advertising determines the foundation of each page. “You start with the ads, then build the story around what remains,” he said. He demonstrated how layout, typography, visual hierarchy, and image placement influence reader engagement. He also showed how archival systems support newsroom efficiency by providing photographers and editors with images tagged with captions and metadata.

At the Business Daily desk, Jack Otieno, the Chief Sub-Editor, highlighted the pressure of editing, stressing strict accuracy, legal awareness, and editorial accountability. He noted changes in media consumption, citing reduced physical circulation and the increasing role of digital editions, mobile platforms, and subscriptions.

In the broadcast wing, students observed producers, sound engineers, and transmission officers coordinating live programming. Producers described the urgency of real-time decisions necessary to maintain uninterrupted television output. One of the Swahili journalists emphasized professional initiative in the industry, telling students that the country produces thousands of journalism students every year and that they should not walk into a newsroom hoping their degree will make them special, because it won’t. The tour concluded with a short practical anchoring session in the studio before the class returned to campus.

Beyond the newsroom experience, the visit reflected USIU-Africa’s ongoing commitment to linking students with industry through hands-on exposure and professional mentorship. The institution continues to integrate industry visits, guest lectures, internships, and collaborative projects into its curriculum to ensure that students engage directly with current industry practices. Such initiatives bridge classroom learning with real-world expectations, allowing learners to build networks, understand emerging trends, and graduate with practical skills relevant to an evolving media landscape.