NWADO engages citizen journalists and bloggers in the protection of civilian rights in conflict situations

By Amambo Carrey-Pride

Group picture

Citizen Journalists and Bloggers

Some 30 citizen journalists and social media activist in Bamenda have been drilled on professional reporting in armed conflict situations and advocacy in protection of civilian rights in armed conflict zones. The training was organised recently in Bamenda  by the Northwest Association of Development Organizations NWADO on aimed at reshaping the reporting skills of journalists in a way that the rights of civilians are protected in conflict situations .

Speaking during the workshop was the coordinator for NWADO Tombir Stanley who called on the journalists to always act as the voice of civilians in conflict situations. " People think war is lawless " says Tombir Stanley and that is why NWADO seeks to involve the journalists in the use of the Geneva convention as a guiding principle and a tool for reporting in conflict situations he added that, " civilians, women and children, health workers, humanitarian workers ,journalists have suffered alot as a result of this conflict so we thought that to raise our voices, we need to mediatize the Geneva convention ,that is the international humanitarian law that stipulates clearly the conduct of war".  He furthered that NWADO's aim is for the voices of citizens to be heard and how the waring parties can ensure that civilians are protected. 

Tombir Stanley

NWADO Coordinator

Mr. Tombir reiterated that " I expect citizen journalist to report in an unbiased manner that doesn't radicalize people, doesn't create fear and in an objective manner ". 

Also during the workshop, participants were equally advised to always be balance in their reporting and to avoid reporting with emotions which could lead to a bias report they were equally called opon to be cautious of their sources and to never risk their lives for news. 

The main facilitator of the workshop Mr Charles Nji engaged the participants in a group work session where the groups discussed on some do's an don'ts when reporting on persons with disabilities, Do's and Don't when  reporting  in conflict  zone as a journalist, the Do's and Don't  when  meeting with  non state fighters  on the field and on the responsibility  of health  workers  on the field. 

Open shot of participants at the workshop

It is worth mentioning that the Geneva Convention was a series of international diplomatic meetings that produced a number of agreements, and in particular the Humanitarian Law of Armed Conflicts, a group of international laws for the humane treatment of wounded or captured military personnel, medical personnel and non-military civilians during war or armed conflicts. The agreements originated in 1864 and were significantly updated in 1949 after World War II.