By Kate Bih
In commemoration of the 2024 World Press Freedom Day, the Cameroon Journalist Trade Union (CJTU) recognized six outstanding journalists during a memorial award ceremony held on May 4.
The ceremony, organized by the Trade Union’s North West Chapter, honored the legacy of deceased colleagues while celebrating the exceptional work of journalists in challenging environments.
Among the awardees were Mbuh Stella, a distinguished multimedia journalist, who clinched the prestigious Motumo Eric Memorial Award for critical writing.
Bakah Derick received accolades for his exceptional sports reporting, earning the Anye Nde Nsoh Award.
Dingana Raymond was recognized for his poignant human interest reporting, securing the Michael Ndi Award.
Buba Laura was honored with the Njeme Becky Award for her insightful gender reporting, while Ruth Chewachong’s dedication to reporting women’s issues earned her the Fawa Agatha Award.
Coldey Olivier was celebrated for his incisive political reporting, winning the Peterkings Manyong Award.
Choves Loh, the chairman of the award committee, revealed that they received a total of 19 entries during the application period.
From these submissions, the four-member award commission meticulously selected the six deserving winners.
According to Ignatius Nji, President of the North West Chapter of the Cameroon Journalist Trade Union, the awards not only pay tribute to fallen comrades but also serve as a testament to the resilience of journalists operating in challenging circumstances.
Nji emphasized the importance of ethical journalism and the role it plays in fostering transparency and accountability.
The awards ceremony was part of a series of activities organized by the Trade Union to mark World Press Freedom Day 2024, themed “A Press for the Planet: Journalism in the Face of the Environmental Crisis.”
This theme underscores the crucial role of journalism in addressing environmental challenges and advocating for sustainability.
The recognition of these talented journalists highlights the invaluable contribution of media professionals in promoting freedom of expression and upholding democratic principles in Cameroon and beyond.
