Viral Tea, TUKO.co.ke Unite To Empower Journalism Students On Digital Disruption
Viral Tea's founder and editor-in-chief, Marvin Chege, highlighted the importance of taking charge of your destiny.
Viral Tea Ke Writer 
Viral Tea, Kenya's fastest-growing news website in the 2020s, recently joined forces with TUKO.co.ke, Kenya's number 1 News and Entertainment website, to host a masterclass at the United States International University-Africa (USIU) targeting aspiring journalists eager to navigate the era of digital disruption.
The masterclass was courtesy of TUKO.co.ke and was dubbed TUKO Educate Masterclass, which was also held at the Multimedia University of Kenya on April 7, 2024.
Speaking at the session on Wednesday, March 27, Viral Tea's founder and editor-in-chief, Marvin Chege, highlighted the importance of taking charge of your destiny.
Chege, who began the digital native media house in 2021, urged students to create content rather than wait for the perfect job, adding that the real movers and shakers in the industry of today are the ones who take the initiative and create their paths.
Marvin Chege (first-row centre) of Viral Tea and Chris Oyier of TUKO.co.ke (behind him) pose for a photo with students and lecturers after the TUKO Educate masterclass at USIU-Africa on April 27, 2024. /UNITED STATES INTERNATIONAL UNIVERSITY-AFRICA
"Don't wait for opportunities to come knocking; create your own," he told the curious journalism students.
"The future belongs to those willing to roll their sleeves and make things happen. You don’t have to be employed; you can also create opportunities for other journalists to be employed.”
The sessions were led by Jacob Otieno, the Managing Editor, and Chris Oyier, the Social Media Manager at TUKO.co.ke, sessions which showcased real-world experience, sharing wisdom on navigating the media industry's ever-shifting atmosphere and drawing valuable lessons from personal experiences.
Otieno, a seasoned voice in Kenyan media, painted a vivid picture of the digital revolution sweeping through the industry. His message was clear: if you want to stand out, start before you’re ready.
Additionally, he stressed the importance of showcasing your work and continuously learning new skills. With the emergence of new content formats, such as reels and short, bite-sized articles, he urged students to embrace versatility to stay ahead of the curve.
"In today's media landscape, adaptability is non-negotiable. You've got to be willing to evolve with the times, constantly honing your craft and exploring new avenues for storytelling. While journalism can be saturated as a career, the opportunities in digital media are endless," he shared.
Oyier, a social media guru of TUKO.co.ke, shared his secrets for conquering social media as a digital media brand that engages millions of Kenyans daily, something he attributed to practice.
He emphasized the need for consistent learning and staying ahead of the curve, highlighting the importance of using technology and AI to upscale individual skills while maintaining ethical journalism.
"Building a social media brand isn't just about being popular; it's about being responsible. Embrace technology, but always remember the ethical principles that underpin journalism.
"Even on social media, journalists are expected to maintain the highest journalistic standards because a single mistake such as posting unverified information, could lead to tough legal actions."
Chege, Otieno and Oyier were also joined by another media industry veteran, David Indeje in offering valuable advice to eager students, with Indeje completing the discussion with some practical tips for aspiring journalists.
He encouraged students to get involved with media associations and familiarise themselves with media laws.
Indeje also highlighted the importance of internships and accreditation, urging students to take advantage of every opportunity to hone their skills and build their portfolios.
"Success in the media industry isn't just about talent; it's about aligning yourself with the correct media associations that will offer you a competitive advantage and expose you to the right opportunities you need to grow," he stated.
