Douala: NCC multiplies efforts for violence-free electoral period.

It was organised in partnership with the United Nations system in Cameroon.

This came on the heels of another workshop held in Ebolowa, dedicated to community radios. The Douala workshop brought together practitioners from print, audiovisual, and online media. 

It was aimed at strengthening the professional capacities of journalists, ensuring ethical and balanced electoral coverage, consolidating cooperation between regulators, media, and other stakeholders, and encouraging the adoption of a journalist’s code of conduct and guide for electoral periods.

Speaking at the opening of the workshop, the president of NCC, Joseph Chebonkeng, stated “the way in which information is disseminated and perceived directly influences public opinion and ultimately the credibility of the Democratic process”.

“As highlighted previously on several locations during our various meetings, we are facing significant challenges like the spread of fake news and the temptation of sensationalism…this justifies the relevance of this workshop, which aims to mutually equip us to tackle these challenges with professionalism and integrity,” he added.

During the workshop, the over 50 journalists from different media sectors were trained and committed to upholding common professional standards. In addition, 30 managers and hosts from community radios were equipped to better fulfill their role as inclusive, grassroots information providers. 

The by the end of the workshop, a number of recommendations were made by the journalists to the organisers, to enable them ensure quality coverage of the elections. Some of the recommendations included a consensus media code of conduct, an electoral guide for journalists, as well as improved cooperation between media outlets and law enforcement to guarantee secure coverage.  

Technical assistance project

Meantime, in a bid to address some of challenges that often surface during electoral periods, a technical assistance project had been signed on May 9, 2025, between Elections Cameroon, ELECAM, and the United Nations system. The three-year initiative, running until 2027, is aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (2022–2026). The Douala workshop was one of them. 

The assistance project's main objectives include building trust among electoral stakeholders, reinforcing ELECAM’s capacities, promoting inclusive citizen participation, and improving civic education. One of its pillars focuses specifically on fostering a professional, ethical, and inclusive media environment to guarantee transparent and peaceful elections respectful of human rights.

Participants hail initiative 

At the end of the workshop, participants hailed the initiative.

Njukwam Princeley, a Buea-based journalist, who reports for Municipal Updates and The Advocate, said that it was one of the most insightful workshops he has attended in recent times. 

This, he said, is because “it sought, to answer most of the questions that we have as professionals in terms of how do we approach our work ethically and in line with the law, how to dialogue and even collaborate with different stakeholders in the fields”. 

“The workshop touched on some of the issues that are very sensitive such as access to information,” Njukwam noted.  

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3579 of Monday September 29, 2025