Intellectual Beats

How is digital media changing traditional broadcasting? Traditional broadcasting was exclusively in the hands of companies or large corporations. Now, through digital media, broadcast messages have become more accessible for individuals to build their own platforms to share messages or build content that is meaningful to them.

What trends are shaping the future of content creation? Short-form content has taken over, especially with social media platforms. It allows content creators to create condense meaningful content from longer videos. This is not a bad thing, but it can put pressure on content creators to constantly have to repurpose content because we know there is a chance some people may not watch the full video.

Vlogging is also helping content creators to build a future for themselves so that is a trend I see continuing.

Certainly, AI is a choice creators can use to make their content, but I think there must be a balance if one uses it to maintain authenticity.

How do you stay relevant in a constantly evolving media landscape? I just focus on what God wants me to do and try not to get caught up in trends or the algorithm. God has already shown and proven to me that obedience will take me further than trying to compete in the media space. So, if God calls for me to blog, I do. If He calls for me to create a YouTube short to push a message out, I do.
Or, if He calls for me to create a podcast epsiode, I do and pray it reaches who God intends for it to.

What role does audience feedback play in your programming? It gives me an idea of what people are really looking for. It also helps me to know if I am in tune or synch with what is transpiring in the world/culture.
Sometimes, I get asked to create the same video but geared towards a younger audience. Other times I get asked to create topics that are centered around bullying. When that happens, I ask God for direction on how to approach the subject if He wants me to speak on it.

How are you integrating new platforms like streaming or podcasts? I use my podcasts/YouTube to push messages further from my blog. I can repurpose content in a way that truly meets people where they are. It allows me to have space for testimonials and even space for in-depth conversations with more of a cinematic appeal.

What’s your approach to maintaining journalistic integrity? I do my research, and even when integrating sources into my content, I am mindful not to take credit for what they have written. Instead, I mention the source and how it fits in with my findings or viewpoint. I am also mindful of how I share my interview subject’s life story. I don’t want to editorialize or misrepresent something. So, I craft stories carefully with my subjects in mind.

What advice would you give to aspiring media professionals? Know first what drives you. For example, I knew I loved to write and tell stories that are centered around human experiences. So, lifestyle journalism came easily for me. At the same time, it can be hard to find a space for you because hard news appears to be more supreme due to the need to keep people informed. So, knowing what my core interest was helped me to think about how I could create something that I could be proud of while staying true to what journalism is.

Also, take the advice from those when you begin to hear a recurring theme. People kept asking me if I would create a blog, and at first, I was hesitant, but once I did, it helped give me a space to share personal experiences to help others, and then it evolved into a podcast.