Edison Fru Ndi celebrates journalists on Press Freedom Day.

In a World Press Freedom Day message, addressed to media professionals in the North West Region and shared with our newsroom, Edison Fru Ndi, charged the media men and women to continue to be patriotic, work for the cohesion of the country, and exercise their freedom with a high deal of responsibility.

In the statement, the serial businessman and Chief Executive Officer, CEO of Dreamland Holdings, counselled journalists to observe the ethics of their profession, pointing out that professional misconduct will result in national malaise.

He emphasised the need for journalists to uphold the principles of fairness, accuracy, objectivity and ethical rules guiding their profession.

Fru Ndi said: “Today, we celebrate not just a profession, but a calling, one that demands courage, integrity, sacrifice, and an unwavering commitment to truth”. 

He reminded journalists that as the fourth estate “you play a vital role in shaping our society, amplifying the voices of the people, holding institutions accountable, and safeguarding the principles of transparency and justice”.

Fru Ndi told North West-based journalists that: “In a Region like ours, marked by both challenges and resilience, your role becomes even more significant. You stand as beacons of information and hope, often working under difficult conditions to ensure that the truth is told and that our communities remain informed, engaged, and empowered”.

“I wish to commend your professionalism, your persistence, and your dedication to ethical journalism. Your work does not go unnoticed. It contributes immensely to peacebuilding, social cohesion, and the overall development of our region,” he continued.

Fru Ndi said as a patron and friend to the media “I encourage you to continue upholding the highest standards of your noble profession. Let truth guide you, let responsibility anchor you, and let courage define you”.

Defending truth crucial

Meanwhile, in a similar outing yesterday, celebrated human rights lawyer and founder of the Centre for Human Rights and Democracy in Africa, CHRDA, Barrister Nkongho Felix Agbor Balla, urged journalists to defend the truth, stating that a free press is not an enemy of society but a voice of society.

The Buea-based legal mind noted that as the world commemorates World Press Freedom Day “we are reminded that a free, independent, and responsible press remains one of the strongest pillars of democracy, accountability, peace, and human dignity”.

Agbor Balla said in societies confronted with conflict, misinformation, polarization, corruption, and shrinking civic space, the role of journalists becomes even more important. 

He said journalists are not merely reporters of events but defenders of truth, witnesses of history, and guardians of public accountability.

The rights lawyer regretted that across Cameroon and beyond, many media professionals continue to work under difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions. 

He said some face intimidation, threats, harassment, arbitrary arrests, censorship, economic pressure, and violence simply for carrying out their professional responsibilities. 

“Others continue to report courageously from conflict-affected communities and fragile environments to ensure that the voices of ordinary citizens are not silenced,” he continued.

In his message, Agbor Balla insisted that press freedom is not a privilege granted by the state but a fundamental democratic right that must be protected and respected.

He said a society without press freedom gradually loses its ability to question power, expose injustice, promote transparency, and safeguard democratic values.

Agbor Balla said at a time when misinformation and disinformation continue to spread rapidly through digital platforms and social media, the need for ethical, professional, and fact-based journalism has never been greater. 

The defense of press freedom, he was blunt must therefore go hand in hand with the promotion of responsible journalism, professionalism, integrity, and public trust.

He said as a lawyer, human rights advocate, and citizen deeply committed to justice and democratic values, he was saluting the courage, sacrifice, and resilience of journalists and media practitioners who continue to serve society despite numerous challenges.

“On this World Press Freedom Day, let us collectively recommit ourselves to: protecting journalists and media workers, defending freedom of expression, rejecting censorship and intimidation, promoting access to information, and building societies where truth, dialogue, and accountability can flourish,” he urged.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3779 of Monday May 04, 2026