Empowering citizen journalist in armed conflict
The North West Association of Development Organisations (NWADO) having delved on the conflict dynamics in English speaking regions of Cameroon has set out to train citizen journalist/ social and online media reporters/influencers on professional reporting during conflict. Through a partnership with the United States Embassy in Cameroon NWADO intends to citizen engage journalists on balanced reporting in conflict. This engagement is part of the citizens voices project aimed at raising awareness on International humanitarian law and advocating for better protection mechanism for civilians and civilian objects given that the parties to the conflict have continued to violate these rights with impunity.
This observation in Bamenda during a training of citizen journalists and social media reporters on professional reporting and advocacy on the protection of civilians in armed conflict in line with international humanitarian law.
In a key note presentation, the Chief Executive Officer of CHAMECC, the lead facilitator tasked journalists to carry on their lips, the Geneva Convention that protects the vulnerable during armed conflict. According to Charles Blasius Nji, hospitals,schools and churches are endangered areas as well as people with disabilities, journalists, humanitarian workers, health workers and women and children in relation to war.
Speaking to reporters after the seminar, Tombir Stanley, coordinator of NWADO said, “we have been bothered on the way this warfare is being prosecuted by both parties. Civilians, journalists, women, children and others have suffered a lot in the ongoing conflict. To raise our voices we needed to mediatise the Geneva Convention which stipulates clearly the conduct of warfare”
“We also intend to raise the voices of citizens concerning the respect of International humanitarian law and how the warring parties can ensure that civilians are protected during conflict because there is a time for accountability. We expect journalists to report professionally in a way that will cause no harm, This is the beginning of a very important process for us and it should be taken seriously.” He addes
During the seminar participants were told to use Geneva Convention as a reference document and a human rights instrument during reporting and ensure striking a balance in their reports.
Testimonies from participants
Joyceline Neba, reporter with Dream Fm Bamenda attended the training and says, “we were drilled on reporting during conflict and this is one of the very enriching events in my career as a journalist.We have been used to reporting in normal times, but I understood that reporting during crises or conflict such as this requires special knowledge. I realized that we as reporters have huge responsibilities during conflict times as our reports can either contribute to the peace building process or intensify the conflict. It was an enriching seminar”.
Arnauld Kouamo, blogger with G.Pmedia attended the seminar and left satisfied. “I have learned a lot. Let me first of all appreciate the organisers. We are in an era where anybody with an android phone can report news. As citizen journalists I have become more conscious of my role. Citizen journalists often pass very important human interest stories but most often they sound like an activist which is not right. As citizen journalists we have to always reflect on the impact of our reports because we are not activists
Bih Emma
