JMC Majors Poised For CJA-Cameroon Investigative Report Competition

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 2^nd prize will be FCFA 300,000, and a laptop. For the 3^rd prize the winner will take FCFA 150,000 and a laptop, the same source added.

                                               By AMINDEH BLAISE ATABONG