Story, Louvier Kindo Tombe
They were 35 in number who took part in the first workshop on investigative reporting organized by CAMASEJ and the US Embassy in Yaounde.
The Douala workshop was organized within the framework of CAMASEJ’s objective of upgrading and providing its members with the necessary skills needed to excel in the profession.
“The idea was to give an opportunity for Journalists to be better at their jobs, in view of enhancing the quality of journalism in the country,” Viban Jude said.
Jude Viban, is the National President of CAMASEJ who chaired the deliberations alongside the Public Diplomacy Professional Associate at the US Embassy in Yaounde, Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Séne.
“The US government through its Embassy in Cameroon is strongly committed to providing support to establish a free and strong press in Cameroon,” says Cheikh Ahmadou Bamba Séné.
“The United States strongly values its democratic principles and we believe that a strong and free press is an essential cornerstone for a democratic society.”
The workshop was held on the theme “dig deeper, report better”. For 2 days, the participants were given the basics of investigative journalism, introduced to data journalism, guided on using open sources and fact checking skills among others.
“Simply put, investigative journalism is all about covering to uncover cover ups,” says Franklin Sone Bayen, one of the facilitators at the workshop.
The participants were drilled on how to source for information in the digital era, and how to stay safe while uncovering cover ups.
Prof. Rosemary Shafack, Pierre Le Grand Nka, Armelle Sitchoma were also facilitators at the workshop, and the skills given were well received by the participants.
“I am leaving here fully equipped to embrace investigative reporting,” Tsinda Elise, a journalist based in Nkongsamba, told News Upfront.
The Douala workshop ended with the announcement of an added value from CAMASEJ and partners on the way forward.
“We would be organizing a pitching competition to somehow measure if there was really an uptake of the skills dished out during the workshop,” says Jude Viban.
During the workshop, award winning freelance journalist, Amindeh Blaise Atabong presented on pitching.
The call for pitches would be published after the second workshop scheduled to hold in Ngaoundere in June 2024, and which will group 25 media practitioners from print, online and audiovisual media organs across the country. The US government will still stand behind CAMASEJ in this light.
“Our support to a free and strong press in Cameroon is also materialized beyond these workshops,” Ahmadou Bamba.
Certificates of participation were handed to all the participants.
