Bamenda-based Journalists trained on conflict-sensitive reporting

A two-day workshop that brought together some 25 Bamenda based journalists has wrapped up. Organised by #DefyHateNow, the two-day capacity building workshop dubbed Media4Peace created an enabling environment for participants to share their views and gain more knowledge on how the media can be a catalyst for Peace and Justice in Cameroon.

Opening the workshop Friday July 30, 2021, Ngala Desmond, Country Manager of #DefyHateNow Cameroon called on participants to take the lessons and tasks seriously as it will be a mentorship program for participants.

For two days, the journalists were schooled on conflicts, conflict-sensitive reporting, fake news, hate speech, peace journalism by Eugene Nforngwa, founder of Africa Knowledge and Policy Centre, AKPC and Abong Bebey Blaise, a diplomat.

Wanchia Cynthia, journalist with The Guardian Post Newspaper said she’s going back edified with the approaches of conflict-sensitive reporting.

“I think a workshop of this magnitude is timely. Reporting within the context I find myself is overwhelming that I sometimes find myself not being sensitive which results in me unconsciously stirring more hate. I am going home more determined to apply the approaches of Conflict sensitive reporting which promotes peace building”, Wanchia Cynthia said.

Another participant Neba Jerome of the The Herald Tribune Newspaper, said the workshop has given him a wider scope about the role a journalist can play in resolving conflict.

“Journalists can contribute to peace building processes.
Again, am taking home the knowledge of working with the local population most especially in times of conflict by bringing them onboard and hearing from all parties involved.
In short my reporting will change drastically as the result of me attending this workshop”, Jerome said.

#DefyHateNow had organised similar trainings on same subject in Yaounde, Douala and Buea with the goal to make journalists have a better understanding of peace Journalism in times of conflicts, diversity in conflicts.