« Journalists across the nation have been imparted with knowledge on Investigative Reporting, digging deep for better story writing. This was during a two day workshop funded by the US Embassy and implemented by the Cameroon Association of English Speaking journalists (Camasej) that took place in Cameroon’s economic capital city Douala from the 6th to the 7th of May 2024 ».
According to the Camasej national president Jude viban, the workshop “is going to give an opportunity for our participants here to be better at their job, it’s going to enhance the quality of journalism that we are going to have and this time around we are specific about Investigative Reporting on how to uncover those stories, how to bring to the lamp light, how to shine a light in those dark spots and how to hold power accountable and the society accountable and how to provide information that will help to always inform the citizens for them to make better choices”.
For an effective implementation of the workshop to equip journalists with skills and experience needed to enhance their Investigative Reporting skills, the American Embassy says it was thoughtful and timely for them to support the initiative carried out by Camasej. “I will like to say that the United States is a strongly valued democratic principle. We believe that a strong and free press is an essential cornerstone for any democratic society. The United States government with its embassy here in Cameroon is strongly committed to providing support for an established and strong press freedom of the world and today this workshop is a testimony to that engagement and commitment” Bamba Sene professional Associate, Public Diplomacy at US Embassy.
The two day workshop witnessed the presence of seasoned experts who schooled the over 35 journalists taking part at the event on various in-depth thematics in covering an Investigative story. Amongst others, Franklin Sone Bayen, one of the facilitators revealed his definition of Investigative journalism as, “ Covering to Uncover Cover-ups “ That is, the C2uCCu method of unearthing hidden stories in society. He challenged the press men and women to unearth those stories that will help foster the community.
Another facilitator where Journalists drank from his well of experience was Pierre Le Grand Nka. He beckoned on journalists nor to end at just giving out a “ compte rendu” reporting just what happened in an event but to go beyond the ordinary, bringing in in-depth revelations that will hold authorities accountable.
Prof. Rosemary Shafack during her exposer taught journalists on Open sources how journalists can do significant research and stream line information to improve on the problem of information overload. She dished out some techniques like the Boolean, keyword, Advanced searches and wild cards to help narrow the search.
Journalists were equally trained on how to pitch stories for international media platforms which went a long way on educating journalists on the economic benefits. Fact checking information was another exciting thematic. Participants were schooled on some major tools on how to fact check information on several Media platforms so as to better educate and inform receptors on the right and credible information.
At the end of the workshop, journalists returned with a well of knowledge. “I gathered a lot in the workshop in the sense that I was able to gather skills on how to pitch a story which will attract the interest of other international platforms…I also gathered on how to properly exploit the use of my computer in terms of managing data and a very important aspect to Google search to use the different devices and software on Google that helps to verify, fact check information so that you’re accurate when you do your report inline with informing the public.” Solomon Agborem co-publisher of the Dawn newspaper noted.
For an effective follow up of the workshop, a pitching competition will be launched in the days ahead where journalists will pitch Investigative stories at the end, the top ten best will be selected and given grants with the assistance of the US Embassy .”There will be a committee of editors where the participants will be able to send out their story ideas and where we feel that the story ideas are good, we commission and thanks to the US department we are going to be able to give a reporting grant so that we can be able to see a real value of this workshop” Jude viban national president of Camasej explained.
The same workshop is scheduled to hold in Ngaoundéré in the month of June next month for the same outcome.
By Julliet Mesame
