Ahead of 2025 Presidentials: ADE, CSM training journalists on election reporting.

This is the focus of a three-day Capacity Building Training on Elections Reporting which kicked off in Yaounde, Wednesday. 

It is organised by civil society organisation, Actions for Development and Empowerment, ADE, in collaboration with Community Solutions Media, CSM. 

The training, sponsored by the British High Commission in Cameroon, is on the theme: “Fostering responsible journalism, countering electoral misinformation and disinformation and promoting political inclusion and participation”. 

Enter organisers

The Founder of ADE, Ndi Nancy, while expressing appreciation to their partners, facilitators, and participants for making the workshop possible, stressed on the role of journalists in ensuring credible, transparent, and peaceful elections. 

She said with the 2025 elections approaching, the workshop is designed to enhance journalists’ understanding of the electoral cycle and their role at each stage.  

This, she added, will help foster responsible journalism by promoting neutrality, balance, and fairness in covering the elections. 

“The media is not just a source of information, but also a powerful tool for shaping public perception, promoting democracy, and fostering civic engagement. In this era of misinformation and disinformation, the responsibility on journalists to report accurately, ethically, and inclusively is greater than ever,” Ndi Nancy stated.

On his part, the Founder of CSM, Sah Terence Animbom, reiterated that during electoral periods, a lot of false information circulate, which can be detrimental to the electoral process. 

Animbom said as watchdogs of the society, journalists have to ensure that the electorate is making an informed choice of who they want their leader to be. 

Partners laud initiative

The Technical Adviser No.1 at elections management body, Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, Enow Dickson, commended ADE and CSM for mobilising media practitioners, who he said are one of the stakeholders the institution works with.  

“We cannot talk about elections credibility, transparency and the trustworthiness without talking about the media,” Enow stated. 

He called on media practitioners to always contact ELECAM for the right information and for verification in case of doubts. Enow urged reporters to use their consciences as they navigate the election period, noting that whatever they do will determine the future of the country.

The British High Commissioner to Cameroon, H.E Matt Woods, on his part insisted that although everyone has a role to play in the electoral process, that of the journalist is very important. 

“We are here to see how we can empower reporters in their role of keeping the public informed with credible and pertinent information that can enable everyone in the country take part in the electoral process, and contribute to nation building. This is the most difficult moment to be a journalist, but also the most important,” Woods noted.

Participants commit to remain professional

Journalists taking part in the training expressed the desire to remain professional and ethical in the exercise of their duty as watchdogs of the society.

“I am here to learn how not to add emotions in reporting on sensitive issues during elections, how to fact-check the information and make sure it's valid,” a reporter from Dash Radio Buea, Nanga'a Sonia, said.

On his part, the Station Manager of CBS Radio Buea, Batata Boris-Kaloff, revealed that with the training, he will be able to identify sources of post-electoral conflict and how to avoid or contribute to conflict as a journalist.

For three days, participants will engage in interactive sessions, practical exercises, and discussions led by experts in the field. The journalists will be trained on critical topics including; understanding the electoral cycle, ensuring accuracy in reporting, ethical journalism and political inclusion.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3354 of Thursday January 30, 2025