World Press Freedom Day: US pledges to support press freedom, ensure respect of human rights.

The diplomat was speaking at the embassy in Yaounde May 4. This was during a World Press Freedom Day debate on challenges to press freedom. The debate brought together journalists, Editors-in-Chief and Publishers through a virtual meeting. 

It was moderated by ace journalists, Georges Alain Boyomo, Yerima Kini Nsom and former participants of exchange programs and the training of journalists financed by the US. 

The debate centred on how to promote press freedom and how to deal with the many challenges journalists face.

Opening the debate, Ambassador Lamora highlighted that “promoting democracy, good governance and respect for human rights” are at the centre of the US foreign policy. He said a free press is vital to human progress and advancing human rights.

“We believe all governments must protect and promote the rights of a press and the safety of journalists,” Lamora said, adding that the press needs to be free in order to “exercise its power to expose abuses, hold leaders accountable and give individuals the kind of information they need to have a meaningful influence on their society”.

Despite the context marked by economic challenges and threats to journalists, Lamora encouraged media men and women to be proud of the fundamental work they do, sometimes even at the risk of their personal safety.

Citing the case of the killing of Martinez Zogo, the Ambassador extended his condolences to the family, friends and colleagues.

Journalists table plethora of concerns 

Journalists during the debate raised series of concerns which were to be tabled to the Ambassador for subsequent examination; including telling government that freedom of the press is not a favour to journalists but a duty.

Issues related to the training of journalists and the re-enforcement of their capacities, need to equip journalists on how to protect themselves while disseminating the truth and limited access to information all featured among major concerns raised.

Journalists were also encouraged to go beyond what is seen on the internet or the press kits they are given during events and ask the questions which will better edify their audience. There was also an appeal for press-related offenses to be revised and access to information made more open. 

“There are a lot of stories that journalist cannot cover because they don’t have access to official sources of information. There should be an Information Act so that public authorities can give information to journalists when they need it,” Kini Nsom said, citing cases of neighbouring countries where this has been granted. 

Journalists also agreed that the amendment of the 1990 Media Law, which they said has become obsolete, doesn’t fit into contemporary context. Kini Nsom also highlighted the need to redefine who a journalist is and who can create a newspaper among other journalism norms.

“We need to privatise even the public media-let it be a private entity so that the information they give should be a faithful rendition of what journalists cover because we have discovered that the public media is doing communication…they are not doing what is really journalism,” he added.

Another recommendation strongly suggested by almost all participants was the need for all journalists to come under an umbrella association which will be strong enough to fight for their rights. 

The presence of several associations, they said, already weakens the influence journalists can have on the government and even the society. 

This year’s World Press Freedom Day, it should be recalled, was celebrated under the theme: “Shaping a future of rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all human rights”.