UB journalism students schooled on climate change, environmental reporting.

It was an initiative of the non-governmental organisation, Community Initiative for Development Communication, CODEC Cameroon, in partnership with the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication.

The training workshop was held under theme: “Communicating Climate Change: Search Innovative Solutions”. 

It underscored the department’s commitment to equipping students with specialised skills in the journalism practice.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop on Wednesday October 23, the Head of the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, Dr Nengieh Lizzie Wanchami, said “such workshops are intended for the students to gain experience from seasoned professionals”.

She added that: “This is also in line with one of the key objectives of the department which is to train students to become entrepreneurs”. 

Students given practical reporting guidelines 

Renowned journalist on environmental issues, Elias Ngalame, who was one of the facilitators at the workshop, delivered a comprehensive presentation, outlining forty tips for journalists interested in covering climate change.

He presented practical guidelines and cover tips like specialisation, wearing climate change glasses and understanding the basics in climate change reporting amongst others.

The multiple award-winning journalist and Central African Coordinator for the Pan African Media Alliance for Climate Change, PAMACC, described climate change as a global concept, emphasising the need for JMC students to take interest in it.

“Loss of biodiversity, animal extinction are a clear indication that climate change is a global concern,” Ngalame who is a board member of the African Forest Forum, AFF, said.

Ngalame who has had multiple post-graduate training on climate change reporting at Thomas Reuters Foundation, London; Deutsch Welle, DW, Germany; PACJA, Nairobi, Kenya; ECA- Addis, Ethiopia; added that “it is incumbent to train journalists who will report this environmental concern using the African perspective”.

Ngalame who is Publisher of Eco-Outlook Newspaper said the western media have been reporting about Africa yet using the western perspective.

Ngalame who is of the first batch of JMC graduates went on to reiterate that: “There are so many underreported projects in Africa and only Cameroonian and African journalists, can report them using the African perspective”.

Another speaker at the training workshop was Dr David Cuillier, Director of Joseph L Brenhner Centre for Freedom of Information Project & Lecturer at College of Journalism and Communication of University of Florida, USA,

He exchanged with the students on some issues surrounding climate change and environmental reporting.

Enter CODEC Cameroon Founder

Speaking to The Guardian Post on the raison d'être of the training, the Founder of CODEC Cameroon, Aminateh Nkemngu, PhD researcher in the University of Buea, said: “We realised that despite the fact that climate change is a global and local emergency, the media are not engaged in amplifying issues of climate change…”.

He went on to add that: “To fill this gap, we decided to create a new generation of climate aware journalists from the university classrooms, which is why we sought partnership with The Pulitzer Center, Washington DC and the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication, UB to carry out this training”.

Trainees salute initiative 

Students who sat through the training, praised the organisers and the speakers for insights on climate change reporting. Level 300 JMC student, Tracy Dobgima, expressed satisfaction, stating that she gained a lot during the training.

“The guest speaker [Elias Ngalame] provided invaluable guidance on climate reporting. It has now given me more confidence in my ability to tackle complex environmental stories,” she said.

On his part, final year JMC student, Afanyu Benjamin, said the workshop opened his eyes to the importance storytelling. Afanyu added that he is excited to apply these skills to his “future environmental and climate change reporting”.

About CODEC Cameroon 

The Community Initiative for Development, Communication is a non-governmental organisation that assists local people and communities have access to adequate information and knowledge that can enable them drive and sustain their own development through education, training and advocacy.

The organisation also thrives to eliminate societal practices that lead to poverty. It is registered under Cameroon law in Menji, Lebialem Division of the South West Region since 2012.

By Cyprain Bekhali

This story was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3270 of Friday October 25, 2024