By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) Yaoundé Chapter has kicked off activities commemorating World Press Freedom Day (WPFD) with a call for journalists to be active participants in environmental change.
Eugene Ndi, Chapter President, urged journalists on May 2nd during the launch ceremony, where members actively participated in cleaning streets within Yaoundé. The 2024 is celebrated under the theme, “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.”
“Journalists play a crucial role in advocating for change, and when you advocate for change, you should be part of the change,” Ndi stated. “This year’s WPFD theme focuses on the environment, and there could not have been a better way to launch our activities than what we have done today.”
Recognizing Yaoundé as a city facing significant sanitation challenges, the Chapter President emphasized that journalists advocating for a cleaner city should themselves contribute to the solution through volunteerism.
“We are leading by example, which is why we decided to carry out this clean-up exercise,” he said. “If we are calling on authorities to address the environmental crisis, we should demonstrate that volunteerism is another way to solve it, and that is what we did today.”
The clean-up took place in Yaoundé XI Municipality, specifically along the street from Rond Point Express through Acacia Market to the Sub-Divisional Office’s premises.
On May 3rd, CAMASEJ Yaoundé Chapter will organize a panel discussion exploring the theme and how journalists can leverage the 2024 WPFD theme to write impactful stories and advocate for change. Additionally, a symbolic tree planting ceremony will be held at the headquarters of The Guardian Post, contributing to environmental protection efforts.
Following the recommendation of UNESCO’s General Conference in 1991, the United Nations General Assembly established Press Freedom Day in 1993, observed annually on May 3rd. The inaugural celebration took place in 1994.
The day aims to, ensure freedom of the press and remember and honor journalists who have lost their lives in the line of duty. The day also aimed at reiterating the importance of public access to information and government support in creating a safe environment for journalists to operate as well as celebrating media organizations and journalists for their work in ensuring truth-telling and upholding press freedom at all times.
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