A recent one-day intensive training session in Yaoundé equipped fifteen journalists with vital skills to navigate the demanding landscape of modern reporting. Participants honed their abilities in critical areas such as pre-assignment risk assessment, best practices for operating in crisis zones, safeguarding sensitive data and confidential sources, and effectively managing the psychological impact of challenging assignments.
According to Yanick Bezang, coordinator for the International Federation of Journalists (FIJ) under the Cameroun Média Plus project, the safety of media professionals has become an indispensable element of their work. “Journalists are frequently tasked with covering conflicts, natural disasters, public demonstrations, or periods of intense political friction. Their unwavering commitment to informing the public should never jeopardize their physical or psychological well-being. This training provides them with practical tools to better anticipate dangers and carry out their profession with greater confidence and peace of mind,” Bezang stated during the opening remarks, underscoring its importance for African news today.
This crucial initiative comes at a time when media practitioners in Cameroon regularly encounter complex environments, whether covering the ongoing crisis in the North-West and South-West regions, reporting on natural catastrophes, or documenting other sensitive events across the nation.
Blaise Atabong Amindeh, who led the training session, emphasized the paramount importance of embedding safety reflexes into the daily routine of journalism. “A journalist’s most effective protection ultimately lies in their preparation. The ability to identify potential threats, analyze surroundings, secure movements, or protect communications can be a decisive factor in the field. Safety is not an impediment to journalism; rather, it is now a fundamental prerequisite for its practice,” he explained.
Larissa Ndjakomo, one of the participating journalists, affirmed that the focus on security addresses a genuine need within the profession. “We often concentrate solely on the information we need to gather and produce, without always fully grasping the risks we expose ourselves to. This day has allowed me to acquire practical reflexes that I will undoubtedly apply during my future assignments. I leave feeling better prepared and significantly more confident,” she shared.
The Yaoundé training marks the third installment in a series of programs being rolled out across Cameroon’s ten regions. This comprehensive effort is part of the Cameroun Média Plus project, spearheaded by the International Federation of Journalists, aimed at fostering a media environment that is safer, more professional, and ultimately more resilient throughout the country.
