WPFD 2020: HOFNA CAMEROON founder hails female journalists

By Bakah Derick in Bamenda

The founder and executive director of Hope for the Needy Association HOFNA CAMEROON has hailed female journalists working in the North West Region in particular and Cameroon in general for the work they do despite the challenges they face as a result of the ongoing armed conflict and the coronavirus pandemic.

Christelle Bay Chongwain was speaking to the media women via a video message on May 2, 2020. C

Members of the Cameroon Journalists'trade Union NW Chapter following Christelle's message

In the message screened to members of the Cameroon Journalists' Trade Union NW Chapter during their May meeting which took place on the eve of the 2020 World Press Freedom Day WPFD, Christelle Bay congratulated all journalists and related media workers for the work they have been doing in the heart of the ongoing violent conflict.




"On World Press Freedom Day, I am sending my words of encouragement to the Cameroon Journalists' Trade Union NW Chapter to encourage you to continue to do the work you have been doing in the heart of the violent conflict like the one going on in the NW Region. I send my words of encouragement with the understanding that your work gets more challenging when the violent conflict is taking place when this evil virus (coronavirus) is struggling to destroy our people. As you observe this year's WPFD, I want to wish you all the safety you need in the heart of the conflict and the pandemic." She opened her message.

Christelle Bay C Founder and Executive Director of HOFNA speaking to journalists on WPFD 2020

While expressing the wish that the journalists remain independent in their reporting and journalism practice, she addressed herself to the female journalists saying "I particularly want to send my words of encouragement and support to female journalists in particular. Being a women in a conflict affected Region which is also experiencing cases of COVID-19 is first of all challenging and being a journalist in such a context equally comes with its own challenges. You remain the light to womanhood despite these challenges. Continue lighting the candles of other women. Let your light be so bright that no darkness will stand." 

Being a community leader leading a women and girls centered grassroots organisation, Christelle Bay C currently a Chevening scholar in the UK took off time to appreciate the work female journalists do for women grassroots organisations like hers. "I want to appreciate the support you all have been giving to grassroots women organisations without which the world will not know that there are people who use local ideas, who use local initiative to suport global courses. I want to thank you for the support you have been giving especially to women peace builders especially at the grassroots and to assure that myself, my organisation  and other women groups that I represent believe in your work and will always suport your work whenever and wherever necessary."



Inspired by the words of the UN Secretary General who recently raised concerns over misinformation as another pandemic, Christelle Bay challenged journalists in the NW Region and Cameroon in general to provide the panacea for such a pandemic which is journalism that is scientific fact based, verified without any bias or prejudice. "May you remain that antidote to that pandemic of misinformation and blackmail." This she added will go a long way to give meaning to this years WPFD which is "Journalism without fear or favour."

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