Global Conscience Initiative ( GCI ) observed lively and informative discussions between journalists at the July 18 general Assembly of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ).
GCI was pleased to witness the desire of speakers and audience members to enhance democracy and human rights through the press. Global Conscience urges all journalists to maintain the commitment to enhance this by reporting in an unbiased manner.
GCI understands that journalists can face huge challenges in this regard. Some speakers spoke of the difficulties caused by government authorities who restrict access to information. Others described how they feel constrained in their writing because they or their company receives money from a certain source.
Speaking on this issue, senior journalist Victor Epie Ngome expressed his sympathy with those who must deal with these challenges and emphasised that in spite of this, journalists must maintain their integrity. Human rights and democracy in Cameroon can only be enhanced by journalists if they remain committed to an impartial stance.
GCI Chief Executive, Samba Churchill has however observed that only solid and well constituted journalism associations can salvage the sorry situation of Journalism in Cameroon . He regretted that the constitution of CAMASEJ remained weak as members fail to meet up with their constitutional obligations to the Association. Mr. Samba has called for a revamping of CAMASEJ chapters and the weeding of non-financially committed members ahead of national elections that have been postponed to February 2009
Global Conscience fully supports this view and commends journalists who are committed to unbiased reporting.