By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Over 30 selected Anglophone journalists in Yaoundé, grouped under the Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ, have pledged to uphold ethical reporting during the upcoming elections in Cameroon.
This commitment was made during a two-day workshop held in Yaounde from April 24-25. The workshop was recognised as a precursor to the 2025 World Press Freedom Day, which will be celebrated under the theme, “Reporting in the Brave New World – The Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.”
Following the workshop, CAMASEJ members praised the leadership of the Yaoundé chapter and noted that they gained valuable insights that will shape their reporting during the elections.
Francis Ajumane, President of the Yaoundé chapter, commended the turnout and the engaging discussions that took place. “This workshop aimed to train journalists on election reporting. We are in a crucial election period, and it is the responsibility of our association to ensure that our members act responsibly,” Ajumane stated.
He added, “This is just one of many workshops planned to adopt a holistic approach to covering elections. Various themes were addressed, and I believe the participants are leaving satisfied.”
Ajumane noted that the workshop brought together journalists of all experience levels to facilitate a robust discussion about election reporting. He also took the opportunity to acknowledge those who supported the workshop.
Yerima Kini Nsom, The Post Yaounde Bureau Chief and one of the facilitators, stressed the importance of journalists understanding the electoral process as the country prepares for a series of elections in the coming months.
“We must master the intricacies of the electoral process, from registration to the proclamation of results. You can’t do that without knowing the electoral actors and laws,” he said.
Nsom likened journalists to cooks for citizens, stating that if they do not understand the electoral process, citizens may remain uninformed about credible candidates and key issues at stake.
“It is the responsibility of journalists to ensure that they cover the elections objectively and that their reports provide a balanced and accurate portrayal of what citizens need to know about the elections,” Nsom added.
Journalists also gained knowledge on identifying and pitching major election stories, safety and security measures for reporting, major stages in the electoral cycle, and the role of the media at different stages. Additional topics included responsible electoral reporting, countering electoral disinformation, and gender mainstreaming in elections.
Senior colleagues and election officials contributed to the discussions with practical exercises. Ahead of World Press Freedom Day, CAMASEJ Yaoundé has planned additional activities, including a symposium on May 3.