Defyhatenow Drills Journalists On Conflict Reporting, Peace Building


Projecting demonstration on Crisis Management

Conflict Sensitive reporting is a nitch most Journalists practicing within the Northwest region have carved out for themselves, in the course of the Anglophone crisis and it is for this reason, Defyhatenow decided to drill more on conflict and Peace under the theme " Catalysing Media for Peace and Justice in Camerooon".

Ngala Desmond, Country Project Manager- Defyhatenow

"The project aims at training selected journalists covering critical issues surrounding media's role in conflict prevention and peace building, as well as equip them with professional skills to produce and publish content that promotes peace, enhance social cohesion, and reduce violent conflicts." Country Project Manager for Defyhatenow, Ngala Desmond indicated.

Journalists from the Northwest Region

The training brought together over 25 Journalists from the Northwest to Bafoussam, to brainstorm over reporting conflict and building Peace, providing them with tools required to produce and publish content that provides Peace.

Bebey Blaise, Facilitator

Many people in one way or the other have fanned or fueled the Anglophone crisis that has spanned for over 4years and more. It is for this reason that Bebey Blaise says "it is terrible to leave conflict to time", and explained that it is important for people to be given a voice.

Conflict sensitive reporting was key focus during the training and Eugene Nforngwa explained, Conflict Sensitive Journalism is more of an approach than a technique, while conflict sensitive reporting is a clear understanding of a crisis, which can only be resolved when people are given a voice.

Eugene Nforngwa, Facilitator

"You cannot cover a conflict or influence it's outcome, if you don't fully understand it. Conflict occurs when there is resistance and when there is conflict, there is an uneven distribution of power. Covering a conflict, one must make a clear distinction between demands, needs and common ground" Eugene Nforngwa.

Ngala Desmond said the workshop is intended to get participants go through a practical exercise and get concrete ideas for stories and programs.

"The project aims at introducing trainees to essential concepts, spur open debates around principles and case studies, and lead participants through practical exercises to deepen reflections and develop concrete ideas for stories and programs" he said.

According to him this will favour an environment that promotes dialogue, love, respect and tolerance, while creating room for peace and reconciliation to gain a grounds within the present context of Cameroon through responsible and peace building journalism.


                        Participants

A participant felt that the training is timely, as it puts Journalists on the right lane regarding conflict sensitive reporting.

"It is thanks to the workshop that we have learned that in times of conflict, the media Should be used as a tool to make all conflicting voices heard and propagate issues considered good for soceity consumption and for the promotion of human rights which generally plays a great role in peace building" Mildred Ndum, promoter of Info Trends blog.

Dingana Raymond, promoter of the DrayInfos blog, says Journalists have not played their role sufficiently to peace building and the workshop is fine tuning skills to to report conflict, while building Peace.

"If Cameroon is going thro political challenges these days, it is because many journalists have not been taking in to account role they can play in contributing to peace building. I am contributing my own quota to peace building and creating a channel for communication between the warring parties." Raymond said.

"We should educate parties involved to manage conflicts, Allow parties to express their views, grant them equal space on audio visual and print, broadening the search for possible solutions among others. He explained.

Expectations are high, as Defyhatenow Cameroon trains Journalists from the Northwest region to promote Peace while reporting on the Anglophone Crisis. Ngala Desmond says he expects trainees to understand some key concepts, while going about crisis reporting.

" Trainees are expected to have a better understanding of peace journalism in times of conflict, understanding diversity conflicts, the techniques of reporting in times of conflict, knowing the present socio-economic and political context of Cameroon; in the Anglophone regions in particular." Ngala Desmond

" I am also expecting these Journalists to have a proper apprehension of the techniques to investigate, collect data and provide reliable information in times of conflict." He added



#Defyhatenow is an initiative by rOg_agency for open culture & critical transformation, funded by the German Federal Foreign Office in partnership with UNESCO multisectoral Regional Office for Central Africa  & thé Africa Knowledge and Police Center (AKPC).



By Ndefru Melanie and Ndong           Carine

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