Association of English Speaking Journalists postpones Press Freedom day celebrations due to COVID-19

The Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists , CAMASEJ has called off this year’s celebration of the International Press Freedom Day.

The annual celebration was postponed due to the spread of the ravaging Coronavirus pandemic.

In a statement, the association wrote “Journalism without fear or favour” is the theme of this year’s edition of the World Press Freedom Day.

Unlike before however, they said the fanfare and camaraderie among English Speaking journalists in Cameroon that characterises the day has been pushed to the 2nd of November, 2020.

Vivan Jude, the President of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ said in the statement that postponing the day does not change the goal of the day.

“We have usually used this day to ask Cameronn authorities to commit more to press freedom. It’s not going to be anything different” he said.

The Association he adds “will use the day to scale up professional ethics of its members and to spare a thought for journalists killed in their line of duty and those in prisons.”

With the coronavirus pandemic, Jude Viban says it is not possible to host a celebration for all six CAMASEJ chapters. Measures outlined by the government and World Health Organization he says “cannot allow for the grandiose event that we have been mulling over since taking office.”

Consequently, World Press Freedom day celebrations will be carried out on November 2nd, the international day to end impunity for crimes against journalists. “However, any WPFD initiative that does not lead to the physical presence of members is encouraged” Viban says.

According to the Committee to Protect Journalists, seven pressmen are being detained for their work. Despite calls from the CPJ and other rights bodies for the release of the pressmen as coronavirus scare hits prisons in the country, government has maintained silence on the issue.

Mimi Mefo Info