By Bakah Derick
Journalists and related media professionals drawn from media organisations as well as freelancers practicing in the conflict hit North West Region of Cameroon have met for a one day workshop to fine-tune resilience strategies as they continue to report on the over five years old armed conflict.
The journalists and related media professionals came together on Tuesday 5 April 2022 as part of the Resiliency Project by the Bamenda based nongovernmental organisation Information Management and Support Services for Rural Development (IMSSRAD).
Hadija Hamidu, IMSSRAD Programme Officer Addressing the journalists and related media professionals
Reflecting on "Making a connection between armed-conflict sensitive journalism and resilience," International Freelance Reporter and writer, Colbert Gwain reiterated that in as much as there is need for the armed conflict to be covered in totality, "no report is worth the life of a journalist." Together with the journalists and related media professionals, it emerged that several strategies have been used by the reporters to stay safe while covering the armed conflict. While some talked of applying the theory of gatekeeping, others mentioned crowd sourcing, increase use of mobile phones for contacts and interviewing amongst others.
"One of the best ways is just sticking to the tenets of the profession, that is: balance, fairness, independence and accuracy." Colbert Gwain concluded.
Senior Journalist and Bureau chief of the state owned bilingual daily Cameroon Tribune, Choves Loh praised the reporters still in the region for ensuring that journalism does not die as a result of the armed conflict. Speaking on "navigating through an armed-conflict sensitive journalism and resilience," Loh was categoric on the need to be genuinely professional and stay by the facts. He maintained that only accurate reporting can reduce the conflict that has been raging on for the past five years.
The Executive Director of IMSSRAD Toh Sylvester has expressed the wish for the resilient reporters to practice journalism that will enhance cohesion and peaceful coexistence in neighbourhoods.
The IMSSRAD resiliency project which is expected to run for 12months being from September 2021 to September 2022 with the sponsorship of the Africa Regional Democracy Fund (ARDF) with the support of the Embassy of the United States of America aims "at assisting crisis prone neighbourhoods in the Bamenda III Council area of the North West Region to bounce back from shocks and stress and become more resilient."