At their second anual general meeting, the founding fathers and members of the Menchum Journalists Union (MEJU) pinpointed two main goals for which committees were created. The first was to legalize MEJU and the second plan was to relaunch the once prominent Menchum Voice Newspaper.
The MEJU AGM provided a platform for dynamic young journalists to learn from their senior colleagues, who graced the event with their presence and shared on vital areas in the journalism field.
The attendees were captured by interesting and interactive sessions of presentations and questions and amswers. Mr. Ngala Killian Chintom, a former journalist at the CRTV, did a presentation on "Pitching Stories and Tips on Writing for International Media Organs". Those present got insight on what to note in pitching, how to target international media were advised to practice data journalism.
This was followed by his colleague, Mr. Amindeh Blaise Atabong. He presented on "Reporting in Hostile Environment (Case of the North West and South West Regions)". He shared tips on situational awareness risk assessment and planning, digital security, first aid and lastly, psychological care/health.
The Union paid tribute to elites of the division, and recognized some prominent sons and daughter of the Menchum soil among which were;
Senator Buh Sule Tegha was awarded the "Most Distinguished and Engaged Member of Parliament".
Professor Kelly Kingsley Mua received the award of "Most Forensic Expert of Financial Forensics".
Madam Mih Bibiana Dinghambong was awarded "Most Committed, Consistent Iconic Woman Peace Crusader".
The Voice Newspaper's Prince Divine Kwansuh was awarded "Most Innovative, Creative, Pragmatic Print Media Editor/ Editorialist".
The award of "Community Mobiliser and for championing inclusive development in Bafmeng Fondom" was given to His Majesty Ndecham Chefon and the late Fon Kum-A-Chuo II Kawzu Albert was duly recognized as grassroot developer.
"We laid a platform to relaunch Menchum Voice which has been a weapon of communication across the division. Come next year, we are going monthly and this means our people expect to read from us every now and then concerning happenings in Menchum", said MEJU's president, Victor Cham in an interview with the press.
"Our people need to understand what is development and what is the role of communication in development as you cannot develop without communicating. MEJU is simply out to empower Menchum in local development and to support every actor who is interested in advancing the common plight of a Menchum man" he continued.
The mic guru Mr Randy Joe Sa'ah, chief editor of the once prominent Menchum Voice Newspaper and Cameroon's' English correspondent of the BBC shared the story of the dawn and dusk of Menchum Voice Newspaper. He paid hommage to his deceased colleague, Mr George, who began running the paper with him. "Menchum Voice start with an A4 format and was printed in black and white", Mr Randy said.
"We struggled with funding and every form of support or benefit we made was used to reinvest in the paper", he added. He also added that, the fall and eventual death of Menchum Voice was due to financial constraints with crippled the resources for production.
SA'AH SIONA IKEI, The Post Newspaper
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