The AfriMass Network successfully hosted a virtual graduation ceremony on Saturday, October 4, 2025, for participants of its flagship Newsroom Business Initiative program. The event brought together media professionals and special guests to celebrate the achievements of the graduating cohort.
The ceremony began with an opening prayer by Mr. Michael Tsatsu, followed by welcome remarks from Mr. Raymond Smith, Founder and CEO of AfriMass Network. In his address, Mr. Smith acknowledged the smooth execution of the initiative and commended participants for their dedication and growth throughout the five-week program.
A keynote address was delivered by Mr. Fred Smith, a seasoned journalist and Senior News Editor at the Multimedia Group (JoyNews). Drawing from his extensive experience with media houses such as Radio Universe, Happy FM, among others, Mr. Smith spoke on Key Journalism Ethics and the importance of upholding professional standards in the media space.
He highlighted core values including:
• Credibility
• Balance, truth, and accuracy
• Independence and objectivity
• Transparency and consistency
Mr. Smith also encouraged impact-driven journalism and advised young and aspiring journalists to remain vigilant against misinformation and disinformation, while maintaining integrity, service, and accountability.
Another keynote address was delivered by Madam Priscilla Wellington, CEO of Customer Service Africa, who spoke on Customer Service Excellence in the Media Industry. She stressed the importance of professionalism, audience engagement, and ethics in media-related customer relations.
Madam Wellington shared valuable advice for emerging media professionals:
• Invest in personal growth
• Be professional at all times
• Seek mentors and never take access for granted
She concluded with a thought-provoking quote: “Do the best you can until you know better. Then, when you know better, do better.”
The event featured heartfelt testimonials from graduates, the presentation of certificates, and closing remarks from AfriMass leadership.
The ceremony concluded with the announcement of the next training cohort, which will focus on Journalism and Climate Change, set to begin on 1st November 2025.
