Practical skills are crucial in any training prior to seeking for employment in any field of profession, including the media.
However, many students in Kenya find themselves at a cross road in attaining such experience due to limited industrial attachment opportunities.
In a world full of constant flow of information, efficient and effective media training, whether for traditional mainstream or social media is essential. It trains people to clearly and concisely share their messages and adapt their communication for different audiences, which is vital for handling the fast-paced, 24/7 nature of modern media and information flow.
Faith Muthoni, a 32-year-old Laikipia University communications graduate and entrepreneur in Thika, is redefining the media training deficit.
Through her company, Newsline Media and Training Agency, she provides a crucial space for the media and public relations (PR) students, to gain real-world experience.
The Agency was established in 2023 out of a simple observation: a disconnect between what students learn in school and the skill sets that employers need and are actively looking for.
“Many students graduate with plenty of theory knowledge but have minimal or no practical skills at all and we therefore felt the need to create a place where college and university students could learn by practicing what they had learnt in the classroom. This way, they would then gain real world experience that would render them attractive to potential employers,” she explained.
The Agency is a media hub for aspiring journalists, content creators, and PR professionals, where cameras roll, ideas flow, and stories are crafted, giving students hands-on experience, mentorship, and industry exposure.
Faith says the Agency’s model is built on one simple principle, ‘learning by doing’. The Agency operates more like a workshop than a school. Students grab cameras, design posters, stream live events, and pitch stories. This hands-on approach builds confidence far faster than textbooks alone, ensuring that trainees walk away with skills they can use immediately in the workforce.
“We ensure that the students cover events, produce short films, create graphics for actual clients, and even run mock newsrooms. By the time they finish, they don’t just have certificates but portfolios and real-world experience,” she said.
As media trends rapidly evolve, Faith notes that the biggest challenge facing young people in the industry is a lack of opportunities.
“The main challenge for these young people is opportunity,” Faith explains. “Many graduates are talented, but lack the networks and confidence to break into the industry. At Newsline, we step in as a support system, giving them not just the tools, but also mentorship, networks, and a community.”
She says the transformation she sees in her students is what keeps her going. “We’ve seen students come in shy and uncertain, but after a few months, they walk out bold, creative, and ready to tell stories. It’s much easier to break into the media, when you’ve already practiced in a space that mirrors the real industry.”
Nicholas Balozi, a former intern at Newsline, is now employed at a leading media production house in Nairobi. He credits his success to the rigorous training and mentorship he received at the Agency. He explains that the hands-on sessions in video production, sound design, and digital editing, gave him not only the technical skills, but also the confidence to thrive in a competitive industry.
According to Balozi, by the time his internship was over, he was completely prepared for a professional role and he got a job immediately.
“I’m proud to be part of a production house team today, and I can confidently say that Newsline was the catalyst that launched my career in media,” he said.
When asked about the Agency’s long-term vision, Faith explains that their goal is to become a regional hub for creativity and training. They hope to attract media students and PR practitioners from across East Africa, who are looking to sharpen more their skills.
“We want to partner with media houses, expand our facilities, and build platforms to showcase our students’ work. Our dream is that when people talk about quality media training in Kenya and East Africa, Newsline will be a major player in that conversation,” she said.
Either way you look, Newsline is empowering the youth to be financially independent. Besides media and PR focused courses, Newsline goes a step further and trains students in online marketing.
This course is designed to ensure that besides being employable after going through Newsline training programmes, the students do not have to wait to be employed. They can use their knowledge creatively, then market themselves, more specifically on online platforms and make money from their works.
“Even as we help them to gain experience and confidence for employment purposes, we also offer them mentorship on how to make money using the skills learnt. We teach them how to market their creativity to make money, ensuring that either way, employed or not, the young people can become financially independent, which is a goal for any young person,” narrates Fath.
As a parting shot, Faith emphasizes the importance of preparation over waiting. “Don’t just wait for opportunities, but prepare for them. Be creative, be adaptable, and always keep learning. At Newsline, we believe the future belongs to those who are ready to tell stories in new ways, and our doors are open to anyone who wants to gain skills and confidence in a real media environment.”
By Hellen Lunalo
