Fifteen journalists gathered in Yaoundé for an intensive one-day training program focused on essential safety skills for high-risk reporting environments. The sessions covered critical topics such as pre-assignment risk assessment, crisis response best practices, data and source protection, and coping with trauma linked to challenging assignments.
Why safety training is now non-negotiable for journalists
Yanick Bezang, coordinator of the Cameroun Média Plus project under the International Federation of Journalists, stressed the growing importance of safety in journalism: « Journalists today are frequently sent into conflict zones, natural disaster areas, political unrest, or volatile protest scenes. Reporting the news must never come at the cost of their physical or mental health. This training equips them with practical tools to anticipate risks and carry out their work with greater confidence and peace of mind. »
The initiative arrives at a time when media professionals face increasingly hazardous conditions. Whether navigating the lingering impacts of the crisis in the North-West and South-West regions, covering natural disasters, or documenting sensitive events, journalists require robust preparation to mitigate danger.
From theory to practice: building daily safety reflexes
Lead trainer Blaise Atabong Amindeh emphasized that safety must become second nature in everyday journalism. « The most effective protection for a journalist starts with preparation. Recognizing threats, analyzing surroundings, securing travel plans, and safeguarding communications can be the difference between a safe assignment and a dangerous one. Safety isn’t a barrier to journalism—it’s the foundation of responsible reporting in today’s world. »
Participants walked away with actionable insights. Larissa Ndjakomo, a journalist who attended the session, shared her experience: « We often focus so much on delivering the story that we overlook the risks we’re taking. This training gave me the tools to be more aware and prepared for my next assignments. I feel more confident and better equipped to protect myself. »
A growing movement for safer journalism across Cameroon
This training in Yaoundé marks the third in a nationwide series conducted across all ten regions of Cameroon. Developed as part of the Cameroun Média Plus project by the International Federation of Journalists, the initiative aims to foster a safer, more professional, and resilient media environment across the country.