Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
From the theme of the 30th edition of World Press Freedom day, it is evident that freedom of expression should be the driver of all other human rights. This alone shows how important the practice of journalism can be in shaping a future of rights.
By organising a “thinking time” on the theme, “safety and security of journalists”, the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) and the Cameroon chapter of the International Union of Francophone Press, provided a perfect avenue for media practitioners to diagnose the profession and map the way forward.
From the panel discussions, it was agreed that regulation of the press in Cameroon is still a major challenge in promoting freedom of expression, and protecting journalists.
Besides state regulation organs like the National Communication Council (NCC), the different journalism associations and unions were tasked to take the bull by the horns.
“The day to day regulation of the press should be done by the press unions,” Franklin Sone Bayen, senior investigative freelance journalist said.
“In Cameroon, we can still organise ourselves despite the presence of the NCC.”
During the activity which was in line with the celebration of World Press Freedom day 2023, Franklin Sone Bayen, drilled the media men and women on what professional associations and unions can do to ensure the respect of the rights of journalists.
“Professional associations must push for the decriminalisation of press offense,” Sone Bayen said.
The practice of journalism in Cameroon is governed by laws and journalism associations were encouraged to help enforc the laws.
“It takes professional associations to make journalists respect the rules,” says Bayen.
An in-depth presentation of the legal instruments in the profession was made by the Vice Director of the Advanced School of Mass Communication (ASMAC), Prof. Nta À Bitang.
The different speakers at the event encouraged professional training and constant refresher courses for journalists in Cameroon.
The president of UPF – Cameroon, Evelyne Owona Essomba, saluted the union with CAMASEJ in the organisation of the different WPFD activities.
The media men and women were equally invited to embrace self censorship in the practice.
“If you are fighting for your rights, also try to be right,” Franklin Sone Bayen said.
Another major challenge journalists encounter is lack of salaries from media organs, and insufficient state subvention to the press.
“Mister minister, the money you are giving the press in too small,” Sone Bayen pleaded on behalf of media practitioners to the minister of communication.
Most often the government is blamed for infiltrating the media space but Franklin Sone Bayen believes that “we would never have gotten there if we had organised ourselves”.
The thinking time activity was place under the auspices of the Minister of Communication, Rene Emmanuel Sadi, who personally chaired the deliberations.
The government’s spokesman promised to continue making efforts so that the government should increase the amount dedicated to the press and improve upon their working conditions.
The activity, like many others organized by the journalist associations was supported by the United Nations Development Program in Cameroon.
