Trainees at Workshop in Bafoussam
The National Office of CAMASEJ, with support from the Open Society Foundations, organized a capacity-building workshop for 30 journalists from various chapters of CAMASEJ.
This event took place from June 12 to June 13, 2025, and aimed to enhance election reporting. It also featured the unveiling of a security handbook for journalists, particularly those operating in the crisis-affected North West and South West regions of the country.
Data from the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has revealed a troubling rise in violence against journalists during election periods. Between January 2019 and June 2022, the agency documented 759 individual attacks against journalists, including five killings, during 89 elections in 70 countries.
President, CAMASEJ National
In light of these statistics, the national president of CAMASEJ, Jude Viban, emphasized the need for journalists to prioritize their safety while reporting. He stated, "They have to take care of themselves; they have to be safe. We intend for them to be safe while reporting, which is why we are here to validate a handbook on the safety of journalists, especially in the North West and South West."
This initiative aims to equip media professionals with essential safety guidelines and best practices to navigate the challenges of reporting in crisis-affected areas.
Facilitator
Dr. Mbinglo Gilles facilitated a session on the evolution of election reporting in Cameroon, discussing the transition from traditional to new media. He stressed the importance of mastering the country’s electoral code, the constitution, and even religious texts while profiling presidential candidates, guiding citizens toward making informed decisions during elections.
Facilitator
The Secretary General of CAMASEJ, Amindeh Blaise, led a discussion on safety and security during elections. One participant, Shing Timothy, the Fako Bureau Chief for The Guardian Post, found the information invaluable, stating, "This would help me when going out into the field to gather information, even in unsecured environments, and protect myself and my sources. I intend to share this knowledge with my colleagues."
Facilitator
Gender mainstreaming in election reporting was also addressed, with Josephine Nsono highlighting the violence women face during elections. She emphasized the importance of journalists facilitating the effective participation of women in these electoral processes.
The day ended with the validation of the CAMASEJ safety handbook. According to the President Jude Viban, "It will serve as a working document for journalists to report elections safely."
The handbook, which consists of four chapters, was developed as part of the project "Optimizing Media Engagement in Peace Efforts in the North West and South West Regions of Cameroon through Increased Media Participation," funded by the Open Society Foundations and implemented by CAMASEJ.