Participants from different media sectors are drawn from the Centre, South, Littoral, West, North West and South West regions.
The training is being carried out with sponsorship from the United States Embassy in Yaounde.
Issues being addressed at the seminar are; the basics of investigative journalism, use of sources, the field of investigative journalism, fact-checking, countering misinformation and propaganda, amongst others.
According to the National President of CAMASEJ, Jude Viban, the organisation has been consistent for years to ensure the professional growth of its members.
“One of the objectives of CAMASEJ which is over three decades now, has always been on how to improve on the skills of our colleagues. How to build the capacity of colleagues and the journalism profession as a whole,” Viban stated.
He sounded positive that thanks to such training, there will be a boost in the quality of journalism practiced in the country.
Commenting on the choice of theme, Viban said, investigative reporting, is to help journalists uncover stories and bring issues to the limelight for the benefit for the entire society.
He also talked of the need for journalists to hold power to account and assist citizens make informed decisions.
It should be noted that, the workshop in Douala came just days after the commemoration of World Press Freedom Day.
The US Embassy in Cameroon Professional Associate, Cheik Ahmadou Bamba Séne, in his remarks at the ongoing training, reiterated the mission of the diplomats in promoting strong values of democratic principles.
“We believe that a strong, and free press is an essential corner stone for any democratic society,” Bamba said, before pledging, “the support of the US embassy to promote a free strong press around the world. Our support to the workshop organized by CAMASEJ is a testimony to that commitment. I Hope the workshop will help do more investigative articles”.
CAMASEJ National President, Jude Viban, other officials at start of training
Stay out of danger
Touched by the amount of journalist being killed on the line of duty, Bamba called on pressmen to stay out of danger.
“Do well not to put yourself in danger because the world depends on you for information,” Bamba stated.
Pitching competition in view
The workshop is being facilitated by a cream of five experts. At the end of the exercise, Viban said CAMASEJ will announce a pitching competition.
“This is so that we can measure and get updates on the skills we are dishing out here. There will be some sort of a committee of editors that will select the story ideas. If they are good, we shall commission them thanks to the support we shall get from the US Embassy department,” he explained.
