Mobile Journalism (MoJo) and News Reporting: Assessment of UNIZIK Mass Communication Students’ Readiness and Competencies

Mobile journalism, commonly referred to as MoJo, has rapidly redefined the tools, workflows, and skill requirements of contemporary news reporting, demanding that journalism educators assess whether their curricula adequately prepare students for smartphone-centred newsroom environments. This study assessed the mobile journalism readiness and competencies of Mass Communication students at Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK), Awka. The study was anchored on the Technological Determinism Theory, which posits that communication technologies shape the structures, practices, and outcomes of information production and dissemination, necessitating adaptive human responses. A descriptive survey design was employed, targeting a population of 1,100 registered Mass Communication students at UNIZIK. A sample of 289 respondents was drawn using the Taro Yamane formula, and a structured questionnaire was supplemented by practical skill assessment exercises involving basic MoJo tasks. Findings indicated that while 91 percent of respondents owned smartphones capable of MoJo functions, only 34 percent had received any formal training in mobile video production, mobile audio editing, or MoJo newsgathering ethics. Self-assessed competency scores were low across video stability, lighting management, and mobile editing applications. Students who had completed internships in digital newsrooms demonstrated significantly higher MoJo competency scores. The study concluded that UNIZIK Mass Communication students possess the device infrastructure but lack the structured training required for professional MoJo practice. It was recommended that UNIZIK integrate dedicated MoJo modules into practical journalism courses and establish partnerships with digital news organisations for MoJo-focused internship placements.
Keywords: mobile journalism, MoJo, UNIZIK, journalism education, technological determinism