Jacob Otieno, the Managing Editor of TUKO.co.ke, joined Rahaman Abiola, Editor-in-Chief of Legit.ng, and INMA Africa Advisory Board Member, in leading a webinar hosted by the International News Media Association (INMA).
Representing Legit, the parent company to platforms like Legit.ng, TUKO.co.ke, YEN.gh, and Briefly News, Otieno and Abiola provided valuable insights into leveraging technology for audience expansion and engagement within African newsrooms.
The webinar attracted over a hundred media professionals from INMA’s member network and beyond, including participants from 26 countries across the globe, spanning from Algeria to Zambia.
The discussion delved into strategic approaches employed by Legit’s platforms, highlighting the pivotal role of newsroom analytics tools in tailoring content to meet audience preferences. Key topics included:
- Innovative audience engagement strategies
- Content distribution tactics driving website traffic
- Effective utilization of emerging platform features like WhatsApp channels
- The significance of multimedia storytelling and the impact of visual elements on user experience across digital platforms.
Catherine Tomosori, PR Manager of Legit.ng, set the stage for the webinar by emphasizing Legit’s position as a leading digital media holding with a significant reach across multiple platforms.
Jacob Otieno underscored the importance of innovative tools in optimizing data collection and analysis, empowering journalists to make informed decisions in real-time based on audience preferences and emerging trends.
Rahaman Abiola elaborated on Legit.ng’s content distribution strategies, particularly focusing on SEO techniques and the importance of originality in content creation. He highlighted Legit.ng’s commitment to providing authentic news by curating a database of top experts and eyewitnesses.
Abiola also shared insights into the success of Legit.ng’s WhatsApp channels as an effective traffic source, alongside Google and Facebook, citing significant traffic boosts in the first quarter of 2024.
Concluding the session, Doreen Mbaya, Africa Division Manager of INMA, expressed gratitude to participants and encouraged aspiring journalists to contribute to public interest, echoing Legit.ng’s initiatives in media literacy and journalistic training.
Legit.ng’s ongoing efforts in maximizing technology’s potential underscore its commitment to newsroom transformation and audience expansion, making significant contributions to the digital media landscape.
