The Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers’ Association (CENPA) has called on journalists to uphold professional ethics and play a leading role in consolidating national unity.
The call was made during a two-day seminar held at the Bengo Hotel in Ebolowa, South Region, from April 9 to 10.
Organised under the theme “Consolidating National Unity: The Role of the Media,” the workshop’s official opening ceremony was chaired by Beko’o B’Evina Marguerite Solange, Regional Delegate of Communication for the South, representing the Minister of Communication.
Speaking at the ceremony, Beko’o B’Evina Marguerite Solange decried the growing wave of hate speech in the country. She expressed confidence that the workshop would help set a positive example amid what she described as “noise” in the media landscape.
On behalf of CENPA, outgoing Secretary General Tarhyang Enowbikah Tabe said the seminar aimed to reinforce ethical standards in journalism. He lamented the prevalence of irresponsible reporting, noting that journalists must reflect on their role in shaping national discourse.
“We come from a background where some journalists have not been reporting fairly and responsibly. We believe that where we are today in the South West and North West regions [alluding to the ongoing armed conflict], journalists are partly responsible,” he said.
He further stressed the need for reporters to embrace peace journalism and fact-checking in their work. “We want journalists to understand the role of peace and fact-checking in reporting,” he added.
Renowned human rights advocate and peace crusader, Dr Barrister Nico Halle, who spoke via video conference, echoed CENPA’s message. He urged journalists to uphold moral values such as love, equity, transparency, and the fear of God in their reporting. He also called on the media to stand firmly against nepotism, bad governance, hate speech, xenophobia, bribery, and corruption.
In a presentation titled “The Media Can Make or Mar,” senior journalist and Editor-in-Chief of The Post newspaper, Bouddih Adams, underscored the media’s critical role in promoting social stability. He emphasized that the careful use of language is essential in fostering national unity and urged journalists to develop a rich vocabulary to express ideas clearly and accurately.
Bouddih encouraged media professionals to act as peacebuilders rather than agents of division, stressing the importance of socio-cultural awareness in reporting. Journalists, he said, must strive to “stay responsible, reliable, and relevant.”
In a separate presentation, Yerima Kini Nsom, senior journalist and Publisher Delegate of The Post, called on colleagues to ensure nationwide coverage in their reporting as a means of strengthening national cohesion. He advocated for inclusive, non-divisive language and highlighted the importance of conflict-sensitive reporting. He also encouraged the promotion of national symbols such as the flag and the national anthem.
Media management in times of crisis also featured prominently during the workshop. Christian Ngah, Publisher of The Guardian Post daily newspaper and President of CENPA, outlined the challenges of running a newspaper amid the Anglophone crisis and the collapse of the newspaper distribution company, Messa Presse.
Ngah revealed that despite being Cameroon’s leading English-language daily, The Guardian Post generates virtually no sales revenue from the two English-speaking regions due to the ongoing conflict.
To address these challenges, he urged publishers to explore alternative revenue streams, particularly subscription-based models.
Participants expressed satisfaction with the workshop, noting that it enriched their professional capacity.
Mua Paul, Editor-in-Chief of Africa Excellence Magazine, remarked: “If I say I’m not going back with a warehouse of knowledge, I would be a liar.”
