Skip to main content
JOURNALISTS POISED TO ENGAGE IN PEACE PROCESS THANKS TO CHAMECC

BY MILDREN NDUM WUNG KUM

Peace journalism has to do with coverage and report of conflict issues without bias and none violent response to conflict for crisis resolution. It is the responsibility of journalists to contribute in peace building especially is crisis situations.

The news media in the Northwest region is expected to engage in the journalism profession with an extra zeal to promote justice and peace.

The NGO known as Charmers Media and Communication Consults CHAMECC, organised a two day workshop to adorn journalists with skills in practicing peace journalism. From the 5th to the 6th of December, at Central Park Hotel, Bamenda. Close to thirty journalists received lessons on how to promote justice, build peace and support mediation in their daily task of gathering, processing and dissemination of news and information.
Participants in T shirts incribed with peace connotations 
The Executive Coordinator of CHAMECC Blasius Charles Nji made it clear at the start of the workshop that the arena was necessitated by the Anglophone crisis in Cameroon which has made peace fragile in the Country’s Northwest region.  He said the purpose is to enable pressmen and women to practice journalism that would ensure justice and peace in the crisis stricken North West region. Mr Nji coordinated the seminar with resource person John Mankefor. Mr Mankefor facilitated the session and ensured that journalists are fully absorbed in the peace and justice process.
Journalists of the broadcast, television, newspaper and online media were told to get involved in an array of activities that can help reinstate peace: embrace peace journalism, report all activities of  belligerents with balance, report effects of the crisis, do public service announcements, report the cost borne by the common man in a crisis situation, report the problems faced by women and girls in a crisis situation, do programs that would engage stakeholders in the peace process, be accurate in relaying information, respect privacy, present issues in conflict free manner, avoid inflaming facts by being emotional, avoid being partisan, respect the general ethics of journalism and stay safe.

Also at the workshop, participants reflected on how the Northwest Media can contribute to peace building at various levels.  All journalists were awarded certificates after the workshop

After the session, journalists are looking forward to be aggressive in the peace process through their profession. CHAMECC expects the news media to utilise skills gained at the workshop by simple acts of the journalism profession that would mediate for justice and peace for a tranquil northwest region.

According to Newspaper Journalist Wifer Jenny Hans, he would use his pen to write peace, talk peace and preach peace thanks to the seminar by CHAMECC.
“I have learned a lot from this workshop about peace journalism. Peace journalism is something I had little knowledge on, now I am going back determined to practice this profession with a different view. I am so grateful to CHAMECC” Njoke Raisa of the  broadcast media gave her remark.

The workshop that trained journalists on promoting justice and peace came to light under sponsorship of The Canadian Fund for Local Initiative CFLI in partnership with CHAMMECC. Apart from journalists, the beneficiaries of the project include five hundred men, two thousand women, one thousand boys and one hundred girls. All these categories of persons are being imparted capacity building skills through various means for justice and peace. Some have been  taking part in workshops organised by CHAMECC while others shall be trained  in the course of the ongoing project.  

Comments

Post a Comment

Editor's Picks

RECONSTRUCTION OF CRISIS CAMEROON ANGLO REGIONS SET OFF BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM A project considered as one that would leapfrog the socio economic status of the affected in the Anglophone crisis. Paul Tasong, the national coordinator tasked with reconstruction and development of the Northwest and Southwest regions held a meeting with stakeholders in Bamenda. He outlined the beneficiaries and the extent of the entire plan for the reconstruction and development of the regions. In the presence of religious leaders, administrative heads, traditional rulers, politicians and civil soceity activists, Mr Tasong noted three essential elements of the plan: promotion of social cohesion, rebuild basic social infrastructure and revitalisation of the economy. He stated that the aim and purpose of the plan is for improved and sustainable standard of living, reversing the situation of hardship and putting an end to crisis vulnerability among others. This he stressed would be realised...
Post a Comment
Read more
Farewell Mass to His Excellency Julio Murat, Outgoing Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea By Mildred Ndum Wung Kum   A farewell Mass to outgoing Apostolic Nuncio to Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea Julio Murat took place at Our Lady of Victory Cathedral Yaounde with all bishops of Cameroon present.  His Grace Andrew Nkea, president of the National Episcopal Conference of Cameroon who featured in the Mass as main celebrant and homilist was grateful for the time spent by His Grace Julio Murat in Cameroon. Archbishop Andrew Nkea reflected on the qualities of a good shepherd, pointing to Jesus as the good shepherd who served mankind with love and humility. The national Episcopal Conference of Cameroon handed gifts of a chasuble and a statue of Mary to Julio Murat. They wished him well as he continues his ministry. The outgoing Nuncio was expressed thanks for the fraternity shared in Cameroon and the graces received.  Present at the Mass were lay Christians, ...
Post a Comment
Read more
HOPE SUSTSAINS IN LOW KEY ELECTION RERUN BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM The polls were opened March 22 to redo election of Cameroon’s legislators. Election reruns took place in eleven constituencies in the Anglophone regions as programmed. Parliamentary aspirants together with their apologists contested in a scenario short of political frenzy however holding out hope in the race to secure seats in the country’s lower house of parliament. The rerun pitted six political parties contesting thirteen seats viz-  UDP, BRIC, OPDC, RDPC, CPDM and SDF.  It was an activity to correct February 9th parliamentary elections noted to have been marred by electoral mal practices After visiting a number of polling centers in the northwest region, Info Trends observed a cross section of determined electorates braving the responsibility to vote amidst calls by separatists not to partake in elections.  When Info Trends caught up with some stakeholders in the e...
Post a Comment
Read more