At CENPA workshop in Bafoussam: Journalists commit to uphold professionalism, responsibility in election reporting.

The workshop was aimed at honing the skills of the media men and women on election reporting and responsible journalism, as the nation prepares for the 2025 presidential and regional elections later this year. 

The workshop was an opportunity for media practitioners to gain knowledge and skills for effective and responsible coverage of upcoming elections in the country and boost access to information and electoral conflict prevention.

In his opening remarks, the President of CENPA, Kristian Ngah Christian, said the association aims to use the workshop to strengthen journalists’ ability to mitigate hate speech and violent language within the media in Cameroon before, during and after elections. 

Ngah Christian expressed his desire for the knowledge gained to be used for the right reason. He said such a platform gives young journalists an opportunity to interact and share with more experienced colleagues. 

He thus promised that CENPA will continue such initiatives to train journalists on modern trends in journalism.

Addressing participants while presiding over the opening ceremony of the workshop, the President of National Communication Council, NCC, Joseph Chebonkeng, said microphones, pens and cameras are tools for good journalism and not for manipulation. 

In this light, he encouraged journalists to avoid aligning with any candidate or ideology, but to ensure vigilance with sources and to make it a must to verify facts to inspire trust with professionalism. 

“…Journalists have to inform not influence…they must be an incarnation of truth and impartiality,” Chebonkeng added.

He noted that the private media is more liable to be compromised by individuals in Cameroon, thus journalists should name and shame misconduct. He saluted the Publisher of The Guardian Post, Ngah Christian, for his entrepreneurial drive, noting that it is something other publishers should emulate.

After his address, the NCC President had a question and answer session on different issues affecting journalism practice and the relationship between the media and the NCC. During the session, he insisted that the goal of such a platform was to pull the media closer to the NCC to ensure it can achieve its goals and visions.

Rich workshop content

During the workshop, participants were drilled on different thematic areas with modules including the role of the media in democratic elections, actors and stakeholders in the electoral process, balanced coverage for candidates, preparing for election coverage, social media and election, reporting elections in conflict zones and how to stay safe while covering elections. 

Participants were availed of the fact that effective election coverage involves reporting pre-election stories about candidates and their priorities, election day reporting and post-election reporting. 

Furthermore, journalists were drilled on legislation regulating elections coverage in Cameroon, code of conduct in election reporting, responsibility of election reporting, mitigating hate speech and xenophobia during election period, media’s role in curbing violence before, during and after elections; and digital tools in election reporting.

Bouddih Adams, Editor-in-Chief of The Post newspaper, speaking on behalf of participants, called for more such opportunities to reinforce the capacity of media professionals on topical issues in society.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3452 of Thursday May 22, 2025