National Communication Council President Urges Journalists to Uphold Professionalism Ahead of 2025 Presidential Elections

Joe Chebongkeng with the microphone flanked by CENPA President to the left 

The President of the National Communication Council (NCC), Joe Chebongkeng Kalabubse have called on journalists to uphold professionalism, avoid sensationalism and resist financial pressure.

The President was speaking in Bafoussam on Friday 16th May 2025 as Journalists converged on Zingana Hotel under the banner of the Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers' Association (CENPA) for a one day workshop.

The call came five months before Cameroonians go to the polls for the 2025 Presidential Elections.

Joe Chebongkeng Kalabubse, President of the National Communication Council

The President of the NCC said, the pressure is already in the air but the media professionals must ensure that they do not align with a candidate, must remain impartial and facts must be verified and cross checked.

Joe Chebokeng went forward to say " you're not agents of propaganda neither are you a spokesperson for a candidate or party. Cover all candidates and fight disinformation, hate speech.". Joe Chebokeng said.

He emphasized that the journalists must be an incarnate of truth and impartiality and should continue to act as the hope to the hopeless, upholding ethics and deontology as the Journalists integrity, is his greatest asset.

Ngah Christian Mbipgo, President of CENPA

Speaking earlier as he welcomed the participants, the President of CENPA, Ngah Christian Mbipgo, encouraged his peers to cover the elections responsibly. He said the exchange of ideas should give room for a better coverage of the 2025 Presidential elections.

Cross section of participants

Journalists will be drilled on responsible journalism, safety and security in covering elections, countering hate speech and fake news during elections, Hate speech and preventing violence and election reporting checklist- review of UN elections reporting checklist.

The journalists have also been called upon to uphold and safeguard national unity, peace and cohesion.

A total of 58 Journalists are attending the one day workshop.

By

Ndi Tsembom Elvis