As Cameroon joins the international community to commemorate World Press Freedom Day on 3 May, the Cameroon Journalists' Trade Union (CJTU/SNJC) has launched a week-long series of nationwide activities aimed at reaffirming the role of journalists, especially in fragile contexts such as the North West Region.
During a press conference held on Tuesday, 29 April 2025 in Douala, CJTU National President Marion Obam unveiled the union’s agenda to mark the occasion, under the banner of #LibertéDeLaPresse. This year's programme places a strong focus on solidarity, ethical journalism, artificial intelligence and safety key issues for media professionals operating in environments plagued by insecurity and political unrest.
In the Littoral Region, the commemorative week began with an exchange on Wednesday between journalists and students of the Institut Universitaire du Golfe de Guinée, followed by a roundtable discussion on 3 May focused on “The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Journalism.” Meanwhile, in other regions, CJTU chapters are leading media house tours and peer-to-peer exchanges to better understand the day-to-day challenges journalists face, including intimidation, censorship, and deteriorating working conditions.
Public debates and cultural events will further enrich the week, offering spaces for engagement between journalists, civil society, and the public on the value of press freedom in a democratic society.
Of critical importance is the focus on conflict-affected regions such as the North West and South West, where media professionals routinely navigate threats to their safety, disruption of communication channels, and systemic disregard for press rights. For journalists in these regions, World Press Freedom Week is not just ceremonial, it is an urgent reminder of their courage and the importance of institutional support.
Addressing the media in Douala, CJTU President Marion Obam urged journalists to exercise vigilance.
“It is important to know how far to go without compromising our safety.” Her call was strongly reinforced by veteran journalist Henriette Ekwe, who added: “I advocate for a press that is more ethical, more responsible, and more aware of its societal role.”
Cameroon’s troubling performance on the Reporters Without Borders Press Freedom Index ranking 131st in 2019, 138th in 2023, and only slightly improving to 130th in 2024 underscores the deteriorating media environment.
“These rankings reflect the persistent challenges facing our colleagues,” remarked CJTU Secretary General Hilaire Hamekoué.
“There is an urgent need to improve the protection of media professionals.” he added
This week, the union is calling on journalists and citizens alike to participate massively in the planned events across the country.
Through collective action and heightened awareness, CJTU hopes to generate momentum for reforms that safeguard journalists’ rights and promote the essential role of the press in shaping public life.
For journalists in the North West Region where ongoing conflict has claimed lives, silenced voices, and crippled independent reporting, this observance of World Press Freedom Week is a reaffirmation of their tenacity and a plea for national and international support to ensure journalism can thrive in every corner of Cameroon.
By Bakah Derick
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