Fifteen journalists participated in a comprehensive one-day training session, acquiring crucial skills in risk assessment for assignments, best practices during crisis situations, safeguarding data and sources, and effectively managing trauma associated with challenging reporting.
Yanick Bezang, coordinator for the Cameroun Média Plus project, emphasized the critical importance of journalist safety in today’s media landscape. He stated at the opening that “Journalists frequently cover conflicts, natural disasters, protests, or periods of political unrest. Their dedication to informing the public must never compromise their physical or psychological well-being. This training equips them with practical tools to better anticipate dangers and carry out their profession with greater peace of mind.”
This timely initiative addresses a reality where media professionals in Cameroon routinely navigate intricate environments, facing challenges ranging from the repercussions of crises in the North-West and South-West regions to natural disasters and the coverage of highly sensitive events.
Blaise Atabong Amindeh, the session’s instructor, underscored the necessity of embedding security protocols into daily journalistic practice. He elaborated, “A journalist’s primary defense is their preparation. The ability to identify threats, analyze surroundings, secure movements, or protect communications can be life-saving in the field. Security is not a hindrance to journalism; today, it is an absolute prerequisite.”
Larissa Ndjakomo, one of the participants, affirmed that the training truly addresses a pressing need. She shared, “We often focus intensely on generating content, sometimes without fully assessing the risks we face. This day has equipped me with practical instincts I will apply to future assignments. I leave feeling better prepared and more confident.”
The Yaoundé training marks the third in a series planned across Cameroon’s ten regions. This comprehensive program forms part of the Cameroun Média Plus project, an initiative designed to foster a safer, more professional, and more resilient media landscape throughout the nation.