BBC Journalist Komla Adom Komla Adom Urges UPSA Students to Uphold Credibility in Storytelling
BBC journalist Komla Adom engaging UPSA journalism students during a lecture on credible storytelling.
BBC journalist, Komla Adom, has called on journalism students of the University of Professional Studies, Accra (UPSA) to prioritise credibility and accuracy in their reporting if they hope to compete on global media platforms. He was speaking as a guest lecturer at a News Writing and Reporting class for Level 200 students, organised by Mr. Freeman Kwade, the course lecturer.
“We survive by our sources,” he said. “Always check who you are quoting and never publish hearsay. Accuracy is what separates a journalist from a gossip.”
The Art of Pitching a Story
The BBC reporter guided students through the key elements of effective story pitching:
- Grab attention with a strong, clear angle.
- Write a clean top line that summarises the story.
- Show the audience benefit — why the story matters.
- Deliver strong content through credible facts and human voices.
“When you pitch, sell the story with your confidence,” Komla advised. “Your tone, your clarity, and your conviction tell editors you understand the story.”
A Traumatic Experience in the Field
“We were swinging on the sea, helpless, and we thought we might die,” he said. “But thankfully, some people nearby came to our rescue, and we survived.”
UPSA journalism students with Komla Adom after the lecture — a defining moment in their journalism journey.
“Real-world experiences, even the difficult and dangerous ones, shape who we become in this profession,” he shared.
Understanding the Audience
- Keep me on trend.
- Inspire me.
- Divert me.
- Educate me.
- Give me perspective.
“When your story meets these needs, it will always find relevance,” he told the students.
Reactions from UPSA
The course lecturer, Mr. Freeman Kwade, described the lecture as “a professional eye-opener that reignited the passion for truth and precision in journalism.”
The class ended with a vote of thanks by Ackah Olivia and a closing prayer by Martins Odjija. Students later took photographs with Komla Adom to mark what many called “a defining moment in their journalism journey.”
From the Editor’s Desk
At Lilbed Wordweave News, we stand for accuracy, accountability, and the power of storytelling. Every feature published under our platform goes through an editorial review to ensure it meets the highest journalistic standards.
This piece was reviewed and approved by the Lilbed Editorial Board as part of our Student Journalism Development Initiative (SJDI).
— Lilbed News Editorial Team