Trauma Therapy For Journalists In Conflict Hit NW

Martial Gnoukapasir

For some months now, a handful of journalists in the crisis hit north west region of the country just like a few elsewhere, have been at loggerheads with one another to the point of throwing verbal jabs at each other over opinions, ideas, the style and manner in which some angle and develop news stories and content as they report the anglophone conflict in the region.

To make it abundantly clear that there's nothing wrong with the microphone, pen and paper pushers, exchanging views on petinent societal issues, especially one as critical as the crisis which has claim the lives of many in the two troubled zones.

 It is however imperative to also note that the outings and actions of both the state and non-state armed actors which often results to civilian casualties like the case in kedjom keku and ngarr-buh, coupled with the conflicting figures and narratives that usually accompany such worisome events from both govt and non government actors, has made the job of journos practicing in the region almost very difficult, as it's becoming more and more complex for them to access communities where these incidences unfold to get first hand information.

The task of a journalist becomes duanting at such moments and out of options, he/she makes a decision as to wether to embede his or herself inside a militarized convoy to access news sources, or not.

The tendency is always that, those who usually don't make it to these places , are often of the opinion and impression that the embeded reporters who were accorded the opportunity have always been compromised by their transporters.

A mentality that has animated social media platforms for media practitioners in the region.

On a particular social media platform for media practitioners in the crisis hit north west region, one almost on a regular basis will witness exchanges and discussions amongst colleagues, that will within a twinkle of an eye shift swiftly from a more professional debate to insults and comparison in age, size, height, handsomeness, beauty, years in practice and sometimes gender.

The question that often linger and is still lingering in my mind as i pen down this article for MNews273 is

 - Is this a journalistic way of manifesting the trauma that comes with close to four years of covering the conflict admist the gunshots, threats, kidnaps, incarceration, lockdown, ghost towns, exposure to gruesome images, fear of the unknown etc?, Well it could be the case.

However, the PCC Peace Journalism and Conflict Transformation Project, benefitting media houses otherwise referred to as Members of the Cameroon Community Media Network (CCMN) in the country, has on several occassion, situate the impact of the conflict on the political, economic, socio-cultural and even the media life of our community. Going as far as suggesting coping mechanisms for its pen and microphone soldiers in times of crisis like this. We must stay and walk the cause

The North West branch of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ NW) just of recent, organized a trainning on Journalism and Trauma Manangement, during which coping mechanisms were served to members and up coming journalists from the university of Bamenda. Another giant step towards the right direction.

Many other trainings have been organized by UN bodies like OCHA and other non-governmental associations with brilliant results recorded.

The truth is, despite these efforts (great strides) which have been applauded and recognized, the monster crisis is still here. 

Therefore journalists practicing in the troubled zones must remain sane to be able to continue their job of reporting, respecting the Cannon's of non-violent Communication so as to ease tension and re-build hope.

Let's do all we can to remain same.

We can't afford to loose it now and this isn't the time for bickering.