World Press Freedom Day in Limbe:

Gov’t Urged To Create Enabling Working Environment For Journalists

By Ticha Malanis in Limbe

Members of Camasej Limbe Chapter pose with Divisional Delegate (Front Row, fifth from Right)

The divisional delegate of communication for Fako, Olive Ejang Tebug has appealled to the government to create an enabling environment for the practice of journalism and to recognize journalists as indispensable partners to development.

            She made the call during the celebration of the 25th edition of world press freedom day by members of the Cameroon association of English speaking journalists CAMASEJ Limbe chapter, on May 3, at the Victoria Guest House, Limbe.

            This year’s theme: “Keeping power in check: media, justice and the rule of law”, focuses on the importance of an enabling legal environment for press freedom, and gives attention to the role of an independent judiciary in ensuring legal guarantees for press freedom and prosecution of crimes against journalists.

            The divisional delegate explained to CAMASEJ members the theme for this year’s commemoration which she said covers issues of media and the transparency of the political process, the independence and media literacy of the judicial system, and the accountability of state institutions towards the public.

            She equally told the journalists that the theme for this year serves as an opportunity to remind the society of the struggle journalists, editors and media workers around the world go through in exercising their profession.

            “Media practitioners continue to be harassed, attacked, jailed and in worst cases killed,” Olive Ejang lamented, while calling on journalists to be more responsible when doing their job and to uphold quality in the content that they serve to the public.

            She exhorted pressmen and women to uphold their status as the watchdogs of society, and the fourth estate of government that is, after the executive, the legislative and the judiciary.

            For his part, the president of CAMASEJ Limbe chapter, Ebong Pende, expressed satisfaction for the successful organization of the event and thanked the guest speakers for accepting to come and share their knowledge and experience with their young colleagues.

            Ebong Pende urged Camasejans to respect the cannons of the noble profession and to be credible watchdogs of society despite the ever present challenges they face.

            World press freedom day was proclaimed in December 1993 by the United Nations General Assembly following a recommendation by UNESCO. It seeks to celebrate the fundamental principles of press freedom and to protect media independence. The day is also set aside to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession.

            As part of activities to celebrate the day, the divisional delegate visited some schools in Limbe to reach out to journalism clubs in order to identify young talented journalists at the secondary school level and build up the skills of news writing and presentation in them. The delegate promised to organize workshops and inter-club competitions amongst the colleges.

            A major highlight of the day was the presentation of the Courage In Journalism Awards, CIJA, to some outstanding journalists in Cameroon.