Investigative Journalists Empowered To Press For Good Governance

 Participants Pose with Trainer

The governance relapse in Cameroon has been partially blamed on the lack of investigative Journalists. This void has let open a wide window for the overwhelming corrupt practices in the country. Most cases of corruption, embezzlement and money laundry often go unnoticed reasons for the stagnation in the country in terms of development. 

In order to bridge this gab, the Club of Journalists in Politics solicited training from the US Embassy in Cameroon on investigation techniques. For two days Journalists drawn from the Northwest, Southwest, Centre and littoral regions of English expression were given the basic and useful techniques of investigative Journalism and were challenged to dig up things and draw attention of those in authority. 

The ARS trainer, Sarah J. Wachter, a Journalist with a wide experience in different fields of journalism, took participants down the rough road of investigative Journalism. The bottom line of any investigative Journalist she said is to follow the money trail. After putting facts and figures together which is never an easy task, the story should be told in such a simple and easy to understand manner and be able to connect readers to the story. Trailing the money from take off point to where it disappears into tax heavens should your focus. She said.

Participants were made to understand that when a journalist starts digging in to things, he will not be liked by those who are concerned. Knowing what awaits he or she should there be an error that investigator should make sure that only hard and verifiable facts are gotten. These can be obtained only by asking more and more questions to primary sources and can only resort to secondary sources when primary sources are adamant to speak up. ".....Make sure that sources agree to be quoted in the article else you get them to give you another source to verify the information you have been given...." Sarah said. 

In order to minimize getting into serious trouble some red lines were identified and that those who embark on investigative Journalism must master those redlines and should have contacts with sources within and without government circles, collaborate with colleagues in other countries where the money trail is connected.

 In case of litigation which is common in investigative Journalism, French speaking countries have the Napoleonic code, where only documented evidences are accepted in court in case of litigation over a report. So participants were advised to safeguard all documented proofs. Investigative Journalism being too dangerous, those who engage in it should be discreet and disclose very little information of themselves even on Social Media. 

According to the representative of the US Embassy branch office in Douala, Ellias Patricia Rashida, who has a 30 years career as a Journalist behind her back, said training Journalists on investigative techniques is part of the Embassy's focus on supporting Cameroon towards good governance practices and fight against corruption. This lady advised participants to do everything to keep their integrity in order to be trusted by the public and news sources. "... In my 30 years of practice, nobody can accuse me of haven taken money to halt an investigation....once you start digging, you start getting attacks from interest groups...." She said.