Beyond discovering beauty
Modelling has a long history of serving as a powerful form of showcasing different artistic talents such as cat-walking, dancing and fashion.
But from a journalistic perspective, the rationale behind the introduction of Miss Malawi Institute of Journalism (MIJ) pageant in the country seems to be more than appreciating and promoting beauty and fashion.
Miss MIJ 2015 was held on Friday at its Blantyre Campus in Chitawira and for most of its students it was just another platform to enjoy and choose their next queen and king. Whereas, the contestants were yearning for the enviable crowns for them to be called Mr or Miss MIJ at the end of the day.
Yet, the most critical part of the pageant was hidden in the way the participants handled themselves throughout the event.
We will not bother to delve into details of the beauty pageant because it lacked the whole essence of competition as few contestants were up for the challenge. You may also not be in the wrong to say that it was a Mr and Miss. MIJ for Blantyre campus because there were no faces from Lilongwe and Mzuzu MIJ campuses to try their luck.
Anyway, as aspiring journalists, Miss MIJ 2015 challenged them to apply their professional attributes ranging from the art of public speaking to critical thinking, and socializing process to dress code.
Journalists must be sharp in the head, always thinking critically and ready to fire constructive questions. Further, they must communicate effectively whether in writing or speaking.
However, majority of them fell short of this test when they were given an opportunity to express themselves and their ambitions. Worse still, the audience, comprising energetic future journalists, did not bother to ask for clarity in some of the contestants’ vague manifestos. Was it unnecessary to ask? I don’t think so.
Journalists must ask, ask and ask until they get a clear answer or understanding on a particular subject. But it becomes dangerous when we train a crop of journalists that do not ask questions.
The question was simple: Why did they think were suitable for the crown of Mr. MIJ 2015? People expected clearly spelt vision and strategies but how some struggled to communicate did injustice to their ambitions as aspiring journalists. This just flashed a red card that “A non-speaking journalist or the one who stumbles on own words has no place in the ideal world of journalism”.
Proper dress code is another critical component of journalism practice. News sources want to meet or being interviewed with journalist who are looking smart and presentable. Hence the male contestants at Miss MIJ 2015 depicted a flamboyant epitome of journalism’s dress code when they competed favourably in the category of office wear.
No one wants to talk to a moody journalist with a gloomy face or pre-occupied mindset. So those cheerful faces and smiles from MIJ students scored a highest mark on personality.
From Kettie to Chifuniro, Tendai to Andrew Chilapondwa and Blandina Chinthenga, the faces of MIJ students were cheerful.
Outgoing persons are in a better position to develop easy rapport with news sources including victims. But scoring MIJ students’ level of social interaction based on Friday’s event could be an exaggerated colour because they were only good at dancing and imbibing among themselves. They created an impression that could fit well in a dancing competition.
Overall, Miss MIJ 2015 presented a platform which challenged its contestants and students to think beyond beauty thereby understanding the vital mental tools of their profession that are rarely taught or discussed in class. The ball is in their hand to shot into the right way. n
Well, WE are students at Mij and its unfortunate that Howard came to the event and never even talked to the Students union, organizers, let alone the winners.
Here are a few reasons the story lacks depth.
1. MIJ has three campuses, yes, but what happens to all students in regards to events is different except for curriculum, syllabus and just maybe anything about xu. So the issue of commenting about failure for other campuses to come over is OUT of context.
2. Its very interesting that the writer came to MIJ and even failed to pick names of the pageant winners. Why? Because he only sat away when his fellow media guys were taking information needed. How on earth would he get he information when he remained numb? Do journalists get information from events just from the blues?. Did the Editor himself get from the writer who actually won the event. If the story was more to be opinionated, why wasn’t just a few lines sacrificed for that, other than the bragging the story has gone about through out.
3. The story clearly shows the writer has qualms about the institution. I choose to drill him on a few facts first. He was a media training xul and he can not fool us let alone the organizers. Its worthy while noting that
4. Nomenclature is another issue that lowers not just the authenticity of the story but also its whole essence. On the issue of names, at the campus, am told we have three girl with the name Kettie and they all wonder which of them was being referred to in the story which was main talk on the campus today.
5. In the tenth paragraph, the writer says ‘people’ expected…’. Theres a need to know that events that occur at MIJ are meant for the youthful budding journalists to relax and not to prove to the working anything.
Otherwise, Mlozi must know that he has courted the wrath of the student, but he has also set a precedent and MUST never dare to come to any event because just for his own information he hasnt just tarnished the image of image, a xul I understand he went to as well (not sure when) but also went ahead to nationalize an event when did not deserve any of that barbaric treatment.
CONCERNED MIJ STUDENTS-WE CHOOSE TO BE.