Participants at the close of the training in Bamenda
The initiative comes at a critical moment as Cameroon prepares for upcoming electoral processes while the North West Region continues to face security and humanitarian challenges linked to the Anglophone crisis that began in 2016.
Speaking during the launch, Cameroon Media Plus Project Coordinator for the IFJ, Yannick Bezang, said the training was designed to equip journalists with practical tools to improve their safety during field coverage.
“We are here in Bamenda for the launch of a series of regional trainings on the safety of media professionals. This training is taking place in a particular context with upcoming electoral deadlines on the horizon,” he said.
“You know that in the coming months, there will probably be legislative and municipal elections. The North West Region is very important for us because there are many media houses here and it is also the epicentre of the Anglophone crisis. Journalists here have faced enormous difficulties since the beginning of the crisis in 2016.” he added
According to him, the objective was to provide journalists with adaptable safety protocols for field reporting, especially in high risk environments.
CJTU National Secretary for training addressing participants
The one day workshop was facilitated by journalist and development communicator Ruth Che Wachong following her participation in a training of trainers workshop in Yaoundé.
The training focused on strengthening journalists’ ability to prevent, prepare for and respond to threats, intimidation, harassment, attacks and legal or ethical challenges while also improving psychosocial resilience and safety planning.
Participants were taken through modules on risk awareness, field safety, de escalation techniques, legal and digital safety, source protection, ethical reporting, incident response and psychological recovery after traumatic assignments.
Ruth Che Wachong during training
During the sessions, journalists were encouraged to conduct proper risk assessments before assignments by evaluating locations, actors involved, sensitivity of events and available exit strategies.
The training also emphasised that “no story is worth getting someone harmed”, placing the protection of human life above equipment or exclusive coverage.
On digital security, participants were advised to adopt stronger safety practices including two factor authentication, secure communication habits, controlled location sharing and protection of sensitive files and sources.
Exercises and role play sessions allowed participants to simulate tense reporting situations and identify safer responses during confrontations or threats in the field.
The programme forms part of the Cameroon Media Plus project implemented by the International Federation of Journalists in partnership with the Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union CJTU as the local partner. The media literacy component of the project is managed by Educ Media with funding from the European Union.
Yannick Bezang said the Bamenda session marks the first training under the project in the North West Region and hinted at additional activities before the end of the programme.
“We are going to continue with other trainings, particularly on mental health. Given the strong interest shown during this session, there will certainly be more trainings on journalist safety in this region before the end of the project,” he stated.
The training ended with participants developing individual action plans focused on safer reporting practices, stronger digital protection and improved source confidentiality management.
The initiative is expected to contribute to building a more secure and responsible journalism culture in the region ahead of future political and social developments.
By Bakah Derick for Hilltopvoices Web
Tel: +237 694 71 85 77
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