Heads of Media organs in Bamenda schooled on conflict survival strategies

By A.V.M

Managers of radio stations, newspaper Publishers or their representatives in Bamenda as well as online news platform owners have ended a one day workshop on content building, branding/marketing and Peace Journalism.

 The workshop organised by Cameroon Community Media Network CCMN North West and West Chapter Friday April 26 according to the Network President Rosaline Akah Obah falls in line with activities to mark this year’s World Press Freedom Day.

 

Post Workshop family picture

Explaining why the workshop, Rosaline Akah noted that content building has remained a major challenge for many radio stations, newspapers and online news platforms especially within the crisis context with little or no avenues for income generation. She added that if things must be improved it will be important to build a strong brand for good marketing. Coming within the Peace Journalism and Conflict Transformation project and with the armed conflict worsening by the day, she concluded that it was important for radio stations, newspapers and website to development content that deescalate than fan the flames and this can only be achieved if the Peace Journalism model is adopted by all news outlets. 

Focusing on the need to diversify content production and distribution with the use of new media, Omer Songwe encouraged media heads to develop the skills of their staff or hire new ones with the required skills to accompany their organs build a more Social Media adapted content which will not only provide for visibility and credibility but also broaden sources of income. The media icon expressed the need for content to meet the needs of the community where they are present taking into consideration the diversity. This according to Omer will make the media organs more people and community oriented and in return attract public interest and possibly the funds. 

Gideon Taka on his part focused on Content Marketing, a concept he said came into usage in the early 90s. After examining the different concepts around the subject, the retired state broadcaster journalist noted that Content marketing is a strategic marketing approach which is necessary for media organs if they must create and distribute valuable, relevant, and consistent content to attract and retain their audience. He encouraged the media managers to properly market their content in such a way that can be profitable to the organs be they commercial, private or confessional. 

Rosaline Akah Obah in the third and final presentation focused on Reporting during Conflict, the Peace Journalism approach which she explained directly opposes war journalism. The Peace Journalism approach she clarified is centred on the choice of words. She encouraged the media managers to use the kind of language that will add more fuel to the conflict flames. According to Rosaline Akah, practicing Peace Journalism is just being professional and not subjective as many may think. An intensely interactive session gave the PCC Communication Director for NW opportunity to provide examples justifying why peace is necessary now and why journalists must take the lead in such a crusade. 

The President of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists CAMASEJ NW Ambe MacMacmillan Awa thanked CCMN for accepting to assist his association and other sister media structures like the Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union CJTU/SNJC and the Cameroon Association of Sport Journalists CASJ to ensure the success of the workshop as part of World Press Freedom Day activities.