“The Media Need A Professional Body To Regulate Its Activities”
- Par Kunyui NGONMENYUI
- 30 déc. 2024 12:57
- 0 Likes
Dr. Nengieh Lizzie Watchami, Head of Department, Journalism and Mass Communication, University of Buea.
What is the best formula to regulate the media in Cameroon?
The media in Cameroon comprises of the print and audiovisual. Then the internet, (new media), has also come in. The media should be self-regulatory. The best way to do so is by the media professionals themselves. The National Communication Council does exist, but there is need for a stronger and independent body that is made of professionals. These professionals should sit like a board to regulate the media from every sector. They will need to set out clear ethical guidelines to ensure that professionals should not be taken to court as per flaws committed. When court measures are used, it makes the profession to be fearful. Gathering of information and getting the right sources is a challenge on its own. We need professionals who actually set out guidelines for journalists to respect such that the profession should have integrity. This will ensure that nobody comes in and goes out carelessly. They will be regulated based on who a journalist is.
Who is a journalist in Cameroon?
Contentions exist about “who is a journalist.” However, the definition of who is a journalist is based on law and professional ethics. A journalist is someone who has been trained to gather information, process it and disseminate. A journalist should also know how to store information in case of defamation. A journalist is someone who understands the ethical principles of the profession. A journalist is a responsible person who is in charge of managing information and hence should be endowed with production skills, analytical and an autonomy and responsibility that promotes freedom of speech, the pluralism of topics, take responsibility for their own work, its consequences for people and society, act according to journalistic ethics, keep internal autonomy independent of media companies, political parties, religious groups, as well as economic pressures. Not every information goes out because ethically, journalists need to assess the effect of the information they intend to send out. A professional is someone who has been trained in managing information which is the commodity. It comes with a lot of responsibility. And that responsibility can only be defined by a body which understands those ethical principles.
What can be done to sanitize the profession in Cameroon?
A strong body like a consortium of different media organizations that actually puts the journalists in the right mindset is needed. In the medical core, they have a body that actually regulates the practice of Medical Doctors. Same should be in the journalism profession. Not everyone should be seen as a journalist. When you are trained as a journalist, you are attached to a media house and you need a professional card. Such that you know you are abiding to the ethical principles otherwise your card should be withdrawn. Journalists should not harass individuals as well. This is not what they have been trained to do.
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