CCMN: Members Swear to henceforth dignify Humanity in reporting Conflict Sensitive Stories .

By Martial Gnoukapasi. 

The over 60 media men and women affiliated to the Cameroon Community Media Network(CCMN) took the commitment to henceforth report the anglophone crisis alongside other conflict sensitive stories in accordance with the moral principles of humanity, at the end of a 3-day workshop on crisis reporting organized by the Peace Journalism and Conflict Transformation Project of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon(PCC), that took place in Bafoussam west region of Cameroon .

    "The anglophone crisis has breed a new atmosphere for  journalists practicing in these regions... and for them to be able to walk this line and survive, they must be able to tell the stories professionally and the way they are supposed to be told, while craving for peace....the various actors involved in this crisis wants the journalists to  tell the stories from their angles...  reason why this workshop on crisis reporting and the project in general seek to inculcate in journalists skills that will enable them better serve our community at a time like this." -the national coordinator of the project who doubles as PCC national communication secretary Rev. Mbue Mokoko Thomas told MNews237.

    The participants from the North West and West, South West and Littoral chapters of the network benefitted from the expertise of veteran BBC journalists Omer Songwe who served as facilitator. 

He,via group tasks and presentations outlined the role journalists must play in assisting persons living in communities hit by man made or natural disasters,  one of which must be to help the vulnerable population such as women, children, the elderly and the disabled in locating safe environments for themselves. 

   Participants were equally provided with practical lessons that facilitated their understanding of the humanitarian response mechanism in times of crises alongside it's fundamental  principles of Impartiality, Independent, Humanity and Neutrality, that guides it's actions.  

   

In highlighting the role of the media in times of crisis he said journalists have a pivotal role in ensuring that humanitarian actions taken to save lives, provide basic relief packages in a bit to alleviate the suffering and maintain the human dignity of the affected community is attained. 

The journalists also received lessons on data journalism as well.

    North west and west chapter president of the Cameroon Community Media Network Roseline Obah says covering conflict sensitive and crises issues can be very challenging and can land a reporter in problems- reason why the workshop provided utility in terms of time and place.

" I want to thank God that this workshop is coming in at a time where by journalists are faced with the challenge of covering conflict sensitive reporting and crisis issues. It's quite challenging and something that can equally land a journalist in some kind of situation but I believe that here we have been given knowledge and skills that will in a way enable us to stay safe when covering Crises."