Journalists schooled on war reporting

What should we say in wartime? What is prohibited? How does one treat the information in times of conflict? These are some lines that have underpinned the training seminar that Cameroonian journalists just attended.

Organized by the Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) in partnership with the Ministry of Communication (MINCOM) and the National Communication Council (CNC), the training to which also took part senior army officers, took place on 24 and 25 February 2016 at the Yaounde Hilton hotel.

The meeting first took lessons-like data with journalists from most of the national media: printed, online, radio and television.

In the opinion of the President of CNC “The processing of information in this time cannot be done under the same rules that prevail in normal times,” said Peter Essoka who did not fail to say that some journalists were irresponsible.

True to himself, the MINCOM Issa Tchiroma, urged information professionals to be at the service “of the Army and President Paul Biya“. In wartime, “journalists must forget their freedom of information in wartime which is an exceptional moment. A time that nobody can define, “.

For his part, Joseph Beti Assomo, MINDEF expressed concern about the “analyzes in the press, that could demoralize and demobilize the troops.” Some even felt that the press “must speak with one voice” in wartime. This provoked an outcry Incidentally, Suddenly, there were voices like that of Eric Benjamin Lamère, CRTV reporter assigned to war, to declare that “in wartime the journalist should not consider official information provided by the Army.

Moreover, the media will be vigilant on governance within the army. Indeed, there is no question to be quiet if the soldiers at the front lack water to drink. It’s instead the poor governance that can demoralize and demobilize the troops. Reporting is even beneficial for them. “

That said, journalists at least reviewed their lessons on wartime responsibility. Military leaders have also understood how far the press will make concessions.

On this basis, recommendations were made to establish harmonious relations between the two bodies respond to requests from journalists to provide them with information 24h/7, enable them to carry out raids on the forehead, protect or increase training on journalism.