Visionary Reports

On Tuesday, February 17, 2026, the National Union of Independent Journalists of Cameroon (SYNAJIC)convened a critical press awareness meeting in Bonantonè-Déïdo, Douala. The seminar brought together approximately fifty media professionals to address a pressing contemporary challenge: “The Cameroonian Journalist Facing Disinformation: Between Civic Duty and Professional Responsibility.”Meanwhile,the session opened with remarks from SYNAJIC National President, Alex Koko a Dang, followed by insights from seasoned veteran His Majesty Georges Messouane. With 36 years of experience, Messouane emphasized that a journalist’s social responsibility is inseparable from their civic duty.He highlighted three cardinal values that must underpin the profession:The pursuit of factual accuracy above all else. Maintaining the bond with the public through transparency. Upholding the honor of the profession through rigorous conduct.Messouane argued that while criticism is a legitimate tool of the press, it must remain proportionate, respect privacy, and maintain a clear distinction between subjective analysis and objective facts.Also,Dr. Jean Marie Tchatchouang, a lecturer at the University of Douala, provided a deep dive into the legal and moral frameworks of the craft. He drew a sharp distinction between professional ethics governed by the Munich Charter and the Cameroonian Code of Ethics and personal ethics, which are shaped by an individual’s upbringing and social environment.

Dr. Tchatchouang offered a sobering reminder of the stakes involved, sharing his personal experience of a two-month incarceration at New-Bell Central Prison in 2013 following a defamation suit. “We concluded that journalists must refrain from publishing information unless they are certain of its veracity,” Dr. Tchatchouang stated. “Not all information is suitable for publication if its release threatens national stability or social peace.”Nevertheless,the meeting also addressed the proliferation of “settling scores” via digital platforms. President Alex Koko a Dang did not mince words when condemning the rise of **”ghost newspapers”unregistered or fly-by-night publications that circulate primarily on social media to insult or defame public figures. The trend of savaging individuals under the guise of reporting. Publications that exist outside traditional regulatory frameworks.Koko a Dang issued a stern warning, noting that if these unethical practices continue, the union will instruct members across all regions to cease professional cooperation with those responsible.In a media landscape increasingly cluttered by disinformation, SYNAJIC’s initiative leans heavily on education as a corrective measure. However, the true test remains whether these “ghost” publishers. often motivated by hidden agenda will heed the call for a return to ethical standards.

By HENRY WANA