Journalists and cultural experts gathered in Lagos for a workshop titled “New Narratives and Singular Communication in Journalism: The Museo del Prado Experience,” where discussions focused on how journalism and museums shape cultural memory in the digital age.
The workshop organised by Casa África, the Embassy of Spain in Abuja, The Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Pan-Atlantic University and Museo Nacional del Prado, Spain, brought together journalists, academics and museum professionals to examine the future of cultural journalism.
Speaking during one of the sessions, Director of the Yemisi Shyllon Museum of Art, Jess Castellote, described journalists as powerful gatekeepers within the cultural and artistic ecosystem.
“When journalists decide which exhibitions, artists or cultural events to cover, they influence what audiences see, discuss and remember,” Castellote said.
He explained that media coverage goes beyond documenting events, arguing that it actively shapes cultural history by determining which creative works gain recognition and long-term relevance.
Castellote noted that Nigeria’s art sector remains vibrant but faces structural challenges, including limited museum infrastructure, weak documentation systems and insufficient institutional support.
According to him, these gaps make cultural journalism even more important, as media attention often becomes the primary record of artistic activity in the country.
He added that in many cases, journalists effectively fill the void left by underdeveloped cultural institutions by preserving narratives that might otherwise be lost.
The workshop also addressed emerging challenges in newsrooms, particularly the increasing use of artificial intelligence in journalism.
Researcher and senior academic at Pan-Atlantic University, Dr. Nwachukwu Egbunike, urged journalists to adopt AI tools responsibly while maintaining cultural sensitivity and editorial integrity.
He warned that overreliance on global datasets could weaken local perspectives and reduce the cultural depth of storytelling.
“How do we now use AI tools without losing touch with our cultural sensitivity?” he asked.
Journalism’s Role in Preserving Culture
Participants were encouraged to view arts journalism not just as event reporting, but as a critical tool for cultural preservation and public education.
Experts said cultural reporting helps strengthen institutions, supports the creative economy and ensures that artistic contributions are documented for future generations.
They concluded that in a rapidly evolving media landscape, journalists remain central to shaping how societies remember and understand their cultural identity.
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