Cameroon journalists trained in safety ahead of risky assignments

Fifteen journalists in Yaoundé spent a full day mastering critical safety skills designed to protect them during high-risk assignments. The training covered essential topics such as risk assessment before fieldwork, crisis response protocols, protecting confidential sources, and managing emotional trauma linked to dangerous reporting environments.

Why safety training is now a must for Cameroonian journalists

Yanick Bezang, the Cameroun Média Plus project coordinator for the International Federation of Journalists (FIJ), emphasized that journalist safety is no longer optional but a core professional requirement. “Journalists often cover conflicts, natural disasters, protests or volatile political situations. Their duty to inform must never come at the cost of their physical or mental well-being. This training equips them with practical tools to anticipate risks and practice their profession with greater confidence and peace of mind,” he noted during the opening session.

The initiative arrives at a time when media professionals across the country face increasingly hazardous working conditions. Challenges range from the lingering instability in the North-West and South-West regions to the fallout of natural disasters and the need to report on politically sensitive events.

Daily habits that safeguard journalists in the field

Lead trainer Blaise Atabong Amindeh stressed that safety should not be an afterthought but a foundational habit in journalism. “The most effective protection for a journalist begins with thorough preparation. Learning to spot threats, evaluate surroundings, secure transport routes and communications can be lifesaving in the field. Safety isn’t an obstacle to journalism—it’s a prerequisite for responsible reporting today,” he said.

A life-changing experience for participants

Larissa Ndjakomo, one of the journalists who attended the session, shared how the training filled a crucial gap in her professional practice. “We often focus so much on delivering the story that we overlook the dangers we face. This day gave me actionable strategies I’ll apply in my next assignments. I’m leaving more prepared and more assured,” she reflected.

This Yaoundé session marks the third in a nationwide series organized across all ten regions of Cameroon as part of the Cameroun Média Plus initiative. Spearheaded by the International Federation of Journalists, the project aims to cultivate a safer, more professional and resilient media landscape throughout the country.