COVID-19 redefined Media – Joseph Kigozi

The #COVID19UG pandemic was a taste of character for us in media and broadcast. it’s through these kinds of challenges, that we started thinking of how to survive and be innovative.

The Pandemic meant the need for constant updates and news. People more often than not were watching TVs and streaming content online.

At Next Media Services, through NBS Television, we created new properties like the #COVID19 updates hosted by Canary mugume at 4 pm and 8 pm weekdays.

We had to accommodate the demands of our audience on current and accurate news from the global pandemic.

Our Journalists and Managers had to learn to work remotely and relay information sensitively. Key to note, Media and health were at the forefront of the pandemic, we had to ask ourselves questions like “How can we make sure that the reporters covering these cases were safe” How do we make sure we don’t lose any of our on-air talents to budget cuts and most importantly now do we remain competitive in the pandemic.

We had to put measures in place to ensure the information we shared was well filtered and collaborated by various health organisations and key stakeholders.

UNITED against a common enemy #COVID19UG in a joint bulletin @nbstv @ntvuganda @bukeddetv @ubctvuganda #ActOrPerishUG @rkabushenga @KKariisa @SemweyaMusoke @BongoTmarcel @DouglasLwangaUg @dmazune @jkkarungi @DaltonKaweesa

Don't miss !!! pic.twitter.com/t1xKEk8cKS

— Joseph Kigozi (@KigoziJoe) December 18, 2020

With many a media house running out of business at the height of the COVID-19-induced lockdowns in Uganda, Kigozi also spoke about how Next Media Services managed to survive.

“The pandemic has redefined the role of media. We have been able to grow businesses, create and be that platform for timely and accurate information. Open up opportunities by developing programs that change people’s mindsets and help young people harness their potential,”

 

“As media, we must understand that the game keeps changing. We can’t have the same approach. The people we used to talk to 10 years ago are gone. We need to be able to speak to the times and new ideas.” – Joseph Kigozi, Chief Strategy Officer at Next Media Services  

The 2021 Kampala Innovation Week is themed “Harnessing the power of innovation and entrepreneurship for Uganda’s digital transformation, job creation, and economic sustainability.”

Watch more on how COVID19 has affected sports: Joseph Kigozi