Journalists sharpen skills to resist political manipulation, stay safe, combat misinformation, hate speech ahead of 2025 polls

With presidential elections set for October this year, Cameroonian journalists are stepping up efforts to shield the country from potential post-electoral crises considering an already existing violent armed conflict in the English speaking regions. In a tense political environment where manipulation, misinformation and hate speech could easily inflame existing divisions, media professionals are sharpening their skills to stand firm.

Workshop participants listening to presentation by Amindeh Blaise A. 

This renewed resolve was evident in Bafoussam on Friday 16 May 2025, where journalists from across the country converged for a national workshop on election reporting and responsible journalism. Organised by the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers’ Association (CENPA), the workshop was a strategic move to prepare journalists for the critical role they will play during the upcoming electoral season.

While the Minister of Communication, H.E Emmanuel René Sadi, was expected to chair the opening, his absence did not dampen the urgency of the moment. Joe Chebongkeng Kalabubse, President of the National Communication Council (NCC), delivered a  keynote address that set the tone. Engaging participants in a candid exchange, he reminded them of the gravity of their work during elections.

Chebongkeng called on journalists to be tools of truth, not propaganda. 

“...avoid distortion... resist political and financial pressure... say no to gifts or bribes... verify facts from all sides... Your conduct must inspire public trust,” he said. 

Joe Chebongkeng Kalabubse NCC president addressing workshop participants 

He challenged the media to inform rather than influence, and to reject sensationalism, hate speech, and misinformation at all levels.

“Journalists are not participants in political competition,” he stated, underlining their role in safeguarding peace and national unity.

Media authorities at the workshop 

Kristian Ngah Christian, President of CENPA, told Hilltopvoices that the workshop was timely and necessary. 

“We wanted to arm journalists with skills that could permit them to cover the elections and report responsibly... We already have crises in the North West and South West. Another one because of elections would only worsen the situation. Politicians are sharpening tools to manipulate journalists. We need to guide against this. Journalists are not supporters.” he said 

Ngah Christian, CENPA President, The Guardian Post publisher 

The workshop was enriched by experienced facilitators. Amindeh Blaise Atabong of Reuters News provided training on safety, security and protection while reporting in volatile environments. Tayang Tabe, Secretary General of CENPA and publisher of The Advocate Newspaper, presented a practical election reporting checklist while Kini Nsom, a senior political reporter with The Post Newspaper, focused on the pivotal role of the media in supporting credible democratic processes.

At the close of deliberations, participants adopted what they described as The Bafoussam declaration on responsible journalism during the 2025 presidential and regional elections in Cameroon. The document commits media professionals to uphold fairness, accuracy and impartiality, to reject hate speech and discrimination, and to promote peace, inclusion and national unity in their reporting.

Tayang Tabe doing presentation 

The declaration calls for stronger editorial oversight, peer accountability, and protection of vulnerable groups, while discouraging inflammatory content and identity-based labelling. It encourages journalists to focus on informed dialogue, guided by the principle of “do no harm.”

Journalists across Cameroon have now sounded the alarm and drawn a line: resist manipulation, combat hate speech, and protect the country from the dangers of misinformation. The Bafoussam declaration no doubt stands as a public commitment to that mission and a call to all media actors to rise to the occasion.

By Bakah Derick 

Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com 

Tel: 6 94 71 85 77