Journalists Trained On Investigative Journalism, Governance

By Doh Bertrand Nua just back from D’la

Some over 50 journalists of French and English expression in Cameroon have acquired skills that will enable them become good investigative and governance reporters. This was during a two-day seminar organised by the United States Embassy in Cameroon in collaboration with the Cameroon Club of Journalists in Politics (Club Po).

                The training under the theme “Governance: Empowering Journalists with Techniques of Investigation” started in Kribi 2-3 March with over 25 journalists of French expression and rounded up 5-6 March 2020 in Douala with the over 25 journalists of English expression at the Valee des Princes Hotel.

                Speaking as she opened the seminar, Ellias Patricia Rashida, US Embassy Branch Office Director, urged journalists to embark on open-minded, fair and impartial reporting especially on hard stories. She enjoined them to strive to uphold their honesty and integrity which will enable them hold government accountable for her actions and probable help advance the country’s democratic process in the discharge of their duties. 

                Sarah J. Wachter, US-based ace investigative journalist who facilitated the two-day session told reporters the training was of vital importance since it empowers them to expose corruption in a democracy, an economy and hold the government to account.

                “Investigative journalism is a global affair now and Cameroon is very much at the beginning to do investigative journalism. It is happening a lot in the other African countries and it is time we came to Cameroon because they are same corrupt practices happening everywhere,” she explained, adding, that her mission is to help kick-start investigative journalism in Cameroon by teaching the tools and the technics.

                The training focused on investigative journalism practices and on reporting governance in an age of rising inequality and raised expectations.

                Practical exercises on analysing recent investigative journalism series for techniques, techniques to pitch investigative story ideas, overcoming obstacles faced getting access to information, online tools to organise search, techniques to get difficult unwilling sources talk, best practices on covering governance issues in the country, the don’ts of investigative journalism, collaboration during investigations, staying safe online among many others were dished out to participants. 

                Rodrigue Tongue, President of Club Po, hailed the initiative which he said will go a long way to transform the way journalists carry out their investigations without playing the role of security officers and given them rich insight on steps and ways to go about investigating and uncovering issues within our complex Cameroonian context.

                The training ended with award of certificates to participants who all expressed gratitude to the US embassy for the skills and promised putting them to use by uncovering issues that affect national life and help change the narrative by impacting lives on their works.