As the world prepares to commemorate World Press Freedom Day on 3 May 2025 under the theme “Reporting in the brave new world: the impact of artificial intelligence on press freedom and the media,” the people of Nkambe in Donga Mantung Division, North West Cameroon, are celebrating a new development in their fight to preserve access to information. This is the complete renovation and modernisation of Donga Mantung Community Radio.
Led by Mayor Musa Shey Nfor, the Nkambe Council has completely transformed the once-dilapidated station into a modern broadcasting house, breathing new life into a facility that had suffered years of neglect and operational paralysis due to management issues and the ongoing armed conflict. With several community radio stations across the region shut down, destroyed, or silenced by insecurity, this bold intervention is being hailed as a major media investment by any local council in the region over the last eight years.
One of the key upgrades is the installation of a state-of-the-art solar energy system, designed to power the radio station independently of the national grid. For over eight years now, Nkambe has experienced irregular electricity supply as a direct consequence of the protracted conflict. The solar system not only guarantees uninterrupted broadcasting but also aligns with global calls for environmental conservation and sustainable development.
The gesture comes at a time when artificial intelligence is transforming global journalism and raising questions about the place of traditional and community-based media in the new digital landscape. While AI promises efficiency, it also poses risks of exclusion for rural and underserved populations. In contrast, community radio remains deeply connected to the people it serves, offering content in local languages and formats that identifies with the cultural and social fabric of its audience.
In a region where conflict has displaced journalists, shuttered newsrooms, and stifled local voices, the revitalised Donga Mantung Community Radio stands as a towering example of hope. The project not only restores a platform for news and dialogue but also opens doors for job creation and capacity-building, particularly for young and displaced media workers eager to return to the profession.
As global attention turns to how technology like AI is shaping the future of media, Nkambe’s story offers a compelling reminder that true press freedom includes ensuring that every community regardless of location or crisis can access timely, relevant, and reliable information. In rebuilding the Donga Mantung Community Radio, the Nkambe Council has not only restored a station but reaffirmed its commitment to truth, inclusion, and sustainability.
By Bakah Derick
Email: hilltopvoicesnewspaper@gmail.com
Tel: 6 94 71 85 77
Photo credits : Nkambe Council Facebook page