By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
Some 30 journalists drawn from six regions of Cameroon have refined and sharpened their skills on responsible reporting and safety.
This was the substance of a two-day workshop organized between June 24 and 25 in Yaounde by the United States Embassy in Cameroon.
The workshop was led by Paris-based American journalists Linda Hervieur and Elizabeth Bryant, with assistance from veteran Cameroonian journalist Prof. Daniel Anicet Noah.
The interactive sessions focused on responsible reporting practices, staying safe in the field, and combating disinformation in the digital age. Participants and facilitators engaged in discussions and shared experiences on these critical topics.
In combating disinformation and ensuring fairness, the importance of verifying information before sharing was a key takeaway. Journalists learned to identify reliable sources and ask insightful questions to ensure balanced and fair reporting.
The workshop stressed the importance of prioritizing safety. Journalists were encouraged to assess risks, know their limits, and persevere in their endeavors.
The session also covered staying safe in dangerous situations, with practical reporting tips and multi-media fact-checking techniques to identify false information and deepfakes using open-source tools.
The workshop delved into online safety, the unique challenges faced by women journalists, responsible social media usage, identifying reliable sources, and ensuring journalist safety in the specific context of Cameroon.
Additionally, the workshop emphasized the core principles of journalism remaining constant despite technological advancements.
Opening the workshop, Sene Bamba, Professional Associate of Public Diplomacy at the U.S. Embassy, highlighted the importance of responsible reporting and journalist safety as cornerstones of U.S. foreign policy.
“We firmly believe that a free and vibrant press is essential for any democracy,” Bamba stated, acknowledging the global threats to press freedom and independent media.
“The safety of journalists is paramount to the U.S. mission in Cameroon,” Bamba emphasized. “All journalists deserve to work free from physical, psychological violence, or any form of obstruction.”
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