Some Journalism and
Mass Communication (JMC) majors in the University of Buea have emphatically
declared their intention in participating in the 2012 Commonwealth Journalists
Association (CJA) Cameroon Investigative Report Competition.
The student journalists made their
declarations recently, after CJA-Cameroon officials made a tour to the South
West Region, November 24, 2012, in a bid to sensitize journalists and other
stakeholders on an investigative reporting competition that will run right up
to December 31, 2012.
According to Mua Patrick Mueghe, a 300
level student who works as stringer for The Star Newspaper, the training he has
received so far from his endangered species of JMC lecturers, makes him
confident for the competition. Mua,
enjoys investigative journalism and does not fear the aspect of longitivity in
service by other media practitioners who shall engage in the competition.
On his part, Tah Javis, another 300 level major who has declared his intention,
said he was spurred by the rigorous field placement which he underwent during
the last summer vocation. To him investigative reporting which moves in line
with research is the back bone of journalism. Tah shall enter the competition under the canopy of CMTV where he
does voluntary service.
Just
like Mua Patrick and Tah Javis, other 400 and 300 level JMC
students who have made known their intention either said they were motivated by
the internship they did or the desire was ignited by the formation they have
received from lecturers.
Worthy of note is the
fact that the Journalism and Mass Communication programme in the University of
Buea was designed to make the students grounded in research which is vital for
investigation, so as to produce well trained entry level professional and budding
scholars.
Many students, however, stated that
their participation in the competition is just to test their bones and not to
challenge veterans as they still have respect for seniority.
According
to HRH, Nkemayan Paul Foanyi,
President of CJA-Cameroon, the competition will focus on corruption and human
rights in the country and is open to all journalists of Cameroonian Nationality
current working for either an audiovisual or print out fit as well as online
publication. Journalists as expected to submitted copies of their report in
both soft and hard copies after doing thorough research and investigation on
one of the chosen topic latest January 2, 2013.
CJA- Cameroon sources
further noted that the first prize will be FCFA 500,000, a laptop and digital
dictionary while the 2nd
prize will be FCFA 300,000, and a laptop. For the 3rd prize the
winner will take FCFA 150,000 and a laptop, the same source added.
By AMINDEH BLAISE ATABONG
