Visionary Reports

This was during a one day workshop that took place in Douala on July 24.

In an effort to strengthen media resilience and foster civic engagement, about 24 young female media professionals gathered in Douala on Friday, July 24, 2026, for an intensive one day capacity building workshop focused on media resilience, fact-checking, ethical reporting and peace journalism The event was organised under the project “Voices for Freedom: Strengthening Media Resilience and Civic Participation in Cameroon” implemented by Fondation Hirondelle and executed in Cameroon by the BRAVE management team.

Speaking during the opening ceremony, Madam Regina Liengu Etaka Esong , the Littoral Regional Focal Person for the project, welcomed the participants and underscored the vital role of ethical journalism in today’s society. “In a rapidly changing world, independent and responsible journalism is not merely a profession; it is the cornerstone of democratic governance, social cohesion, and informed civic participation,” Mrs Esong stated.She urged the young journalists to actively apply the knowledge gained to navigate the daily challenges faced by women in the media landscape. She also revealed that the workshop is part of a broader, long-term initiative as participants will be integrated into a regional Media Lab, granting them access to production facilities, continuous mentorship, and integration into the Cameroon Community Media Network.The workshop addressed critical modern challenges, including digital verification, peace journalism, and ethical reporting. Key expert facilitators included:Kum Leonard, who drilled participants on peace journalism, effective news gathering, and ethical reporting.

On her part, Sitchoma Armelle, delivered a session on fact-checking tools to combat misinformation and fake news in the digital age.Meanwhile, the representative of the Cameroon Brave Management team Mr Tah Kenneth while presenting the project revealed that the project is implemented in only six African countries and Cameroon is one of them. He called on participants to make good use of the opportunity.Addressing expectations following the training, organisers emphasized that the goal is to shift media narratives away from sensationalism toward conflict resolution. “We are expecting these young journalists to produce content that promotes peace and de-escalates violence,” Mrs Esong explained. “We want to see fact-checkers who consistently verify information and tell the public what is accurate, fostering unity and living together rather than division.”For many participants, the practical insights on peace journalism provided a fresh perspective on their craft.Fadira Etonde, a practicing journalist in the Littoral Region , highlighted how the training changed her approach to covering crisis situations: “In our media, we are often accustomed to focusing only on the dark side of news,” Etonde shared. “Through this workshop, I gained a deeper understanding of peace and solutions journalism showing that life continues after a crisis and highlighting how communities rebuild. Beyond fact-checking and AI verification tools, learning how to cover electoral issues from veteran journalists provided invaluable lessons on ethical boundaries and safety in the field.”The workshop concluded with Madam Roseline Akah Obah Cameroon Brave Management team lead urging the young female journalists to continuously seek professional development, uphold strict ethics, and reject corruption to safeguard public trust.

By Henry Wana