Skip to main content

“Accept These Press Vests As Identification For Journalists” - CJTU Chapter President, BAKAH DERICK.

By Raymond Dingana.
                                 Front row Bakah Derick (L) Jato Richard (R), Back row Ambe M. Awa (L) Rosaline Obah (R)
The North West Chapter President of the Cameroon Journalists Trade Union, CJTU has appealed to State and Non-State actors in the armed conflict rocking the NW/SW Regions of Cameroon to accept the Press Vest recently handed over to Journalists who are members of CJTU as identification for Media Organs. Bakah Derick was speaking Sunday November 03, 2019 during the distribution ceremony of Press Vests to members of CJTU at Hill Top Hotel, Up Station-Bamenda.

Group picture
 In addition, Bakah Derick underscored the need for State and Non-State Actors to respect all those who wear the Vests as Journalists with reputation whom are only out to do their job.
He indicated that, there is a strong need for media identification especially in crisis situations to ensure that journalists are identified .He says is within CJTU policy to ensure that members of CJTU are identified and that, the Press Vests are for professional purposes only:
“ This is not a weapon for journalists to use for misconduct; it is not a weapon to use to harass people in the name of journalism. These are tools handed out to assist journalists do their work. These Vests were gotten with the support of the UN System in Cameroon and by that, we are saying these structures recognised these Vests as they are on us and for professional reasons only”.
Bakah Derick also used the event to underscore the need for journalists to stay within the core values of the profession, avoid the usage of hate speech among others : “W are appealing for the continues respect for the core values of the profession we are practicing and we must avoid issues of Hate Speech, and declarations that injure Women and Girls. These are basic things that Cameroon Journalists Trade Union, CJTU stands for”.
According to Rose Akah Obah, a journalist working with CBS radio in Bamenda, the Press Vests are coming at the right time: “The coming of the Press Vests is timely and encourages some of us who have been afraid to step into the field especially with this crisis where one is afraid of being caught in between the state and non state actors and also the fear of stray bullets. With these Vests on, we will be encouraged to go about our duties without any fear” .
Rose Akah Obah,CBS Radio Bamenda.
Colbert Ngwain is a Digital Rights Advocate and radio host. He thanked Bakah Derick for his organizational skills and the fact that, he has grown the Journalist Trade Union to this level and for making sure they have the Press Vests. He says from a distance, somebody will notice them as journalists: “ In international Humanitarian Law and during war, there is no particular rule that exempt Journalists from the fire. Even with the Vests we still know that we are exposed to a lot of danger but it important that somebody should see from a distance that, this is a journalist trying to do his or her job”.
To Ngongsong Jean Marie, Resident Correspondent for Deutche Welle Radio in Germany, the coming of the Press Vests will help him access news sources on all sides involved in the armed conflict: “With this Vest, access to news sources and information will be an easy thing to me, with the Press Vest; I should be able to be identified and given access to information both from the side of the State and Non State actors in the armed conflict and feed the audience which I serve”.
Ngongsong Jean Marie,Deutche Welle Radio-Germany.(L)
Worthy of note is the fact that, many journalists in the North West Region of Cameroon are still dragging their feet, still contemplating whether to belong or not but as the president of CJTU said, the Trade Union is only committed to defending her members.
Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Breaking the Cycle: Confronting Gender-Based Violence and Drug Abuse in Bamenda

In a bid to tackle the pressing issues of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and drug abuse, the "Adjust for Me" project, implemented by Common Action for Gender Development (COMAGEND), has been making strides in the Ntarikon 2 community, Bamenda. The project, which aims to raise awareness and educate the community on the causes, consequences, and prevention of GBV and drug abuse, has been well-received by community members. According to Nde Christopher, a community spokesperson trained within the context of the project, the initiative has been instrumental in sensitizing the community on the ills of GBV and drug abuse. "We have organized door-to-door sensitization efforts, reaching many community members and educating them on the importance of addressing GBV and drug abuse," Christopher explained. The project has also provided a platform for community members to share their experiences and concerns regarding GBV and drug abuse. Swirri Adeline, a community member who parti...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Reign of Terror in Menchum: A Horrific Encounter on the Wum-Bamenda Route

                                            The reign of terror in Menchum once again manifested itself in horrific fashion on the Wum-Bamenda road on Wednesday 5 June 2024, turning an ordinary morning journey into a nightmare. As passengers like Pa Cheghe Bang Mathias left Wum and the surrounding area s  for Bamenda, they found themselves trapped in an ambush by a band of armed men claiming to be Amba fighters. The peaceful atmosphere of dawn was transformed into a scene of panic and desperation as the assailants, armed with violence and brutality, demanded the ‘support’ of the travelers . Witnesses revealed that  the attackers targeted one bike rider  in particular . Using the opportunity ,   the attackers  rob bed  passengers of their valuables, including phones and personal belongings.   (C) Credit Photo anonymous              The desperate attempt by the bike-man  to flee from the assailants ended tragically, with the passenger, Pa Cheghe Bang Mathias, being shot, while the rider ...
Post a Comment
Read more

Traditional Leaders Urge Government to Address Drug Abuse in Ntarikon 2 Community

On November 20, 2024, community spokespeople from the Adjust for Me project engaged religious and traditional leaders in an open discussion during a door-to-door sensitization campaign in Ntarikon 2. The initiative aimed to raise awareness about the growing concerns of drug abuse and gender-based violence (GBV) within the community. Through this dialogue, the project sought to educate both youths and religious leaders on the dangers of substance abuse and to address how gender-based violence can be reduced in both the church and local communities. Many religious leaders expressed that while some progress has been made, the increasing prevalence of drug abuse among young people remains a pressing concern. "Our youths are falling victim to drugs, and it's taking a toll on their health, well-being, and futures," one community leader remarked. The discussion linked the rise in drug abuse to the economic challenges and ongoing socio-political unrest that have left many youths ...
Post a Comment
Read more