BY MILDRED NDUM WUNG KUM
The three can function well with profound collaboration; to ensure a connect between the news media, the government and civil society organisations for better services to the public, the NGO known as Integrated Development and Interactive Association with French acronym ADISI, organised a workshop to establish mechanisms on access to information and public data.
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| Media, CSO and Government Commune |
It was a two day session at Blue Pearl Hotel Bamenda with seasoned resource persons enlightening participants, engaging them to action. The Executive Secretary of ADISI Paul- Joel Kamtchang was on his feet throughout to ensure that take home message meets needs of attendees, meanwhile Mr Mukun Njouny Nelson acted as facilitator and coordinator ensuring that participants have a full grasp of input.
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| Mr Kamtchang, Mr Njouny Coordinating Workshop |
A presentation done by Gideon Taka, guru in journalism informed those at the seminar of the situation of freedom of the press and access to information in times of crisis. He pointed out the difficulty faced by journalists in the midst of the Anglophone crisis, the general problem of unprofessionalism in journalism and the fact that existing regulatory bodies in Cameroon to handle issues affecting journalists are dormant.
In a presentation by Mr Fon Nsoh Coordinator of COMINSUD, workshop participants were informed on the civil society’s view on freedom of the press and access to information. They were made to understand where and how to get trusted information especially in a crisis situation. Primary and secondary sources were pointed as areas where data can be gotten.
Madam Victory Ayafor Marshal, the Chief of Service for Public Communication at the Northwest Regional Delegation of Communication then had an interactive expose with participants on government’s view of the situation of freedom of the press in times of crisis. This lap of the seminar brought to the understanding of participants the reasons why government is very strict on making available information. “Government is institutionalised and hierarchical. Government communication strategy translate the will of public authority”
This statement by the official from the Regional delegation of Communication as the reason for government’s strictness was however confronted with reactions; the appeal that government should be considerate and also that government communication should not only be a top to bottom approach but should be two way with mutual understanding while also addressing the intrinsic needs of the people being governed.
To buttress the take home message, workshop participants split into three groups and then brainstormed and came out with the choice of tools for a journalist, the topics that should be addressed for better information about the crisis and the collaboration needed between and among stakeholders for freedom of information. This exercise noted three main points; tools chosen for communication must be valid, there is still much to be done as concerns information about the crisis and there is a need for a symbiotic relationship between and among journalists, civil society actors and the government.
“There are many things on the ground that people of the national and international community need to know about the Anglophone crisis. Together, let journalists, civil society organisations and the local administration work to see how we can handle this issue. I want to assure you that the outcome of your work would always be supported” Mr Kamtchang gave the assurance while giving a closing remark during the occasion.
After the workshop, the three levels of participants are looking forward to contribute to peace and better serve humanity through their various priorities: journalists as informers, civil societies as humanitarians and government as an angent of civil service.