World Press Freedom Day Celebration; the case study of Cameroon in Africa

Dear friends and audience of this darling space community, today l wish to share with you my story about World Press Freedom Day celebrated globally on the 03 May 2025.But before I proceed to talk about this day's celebration in Cameroon, Africa, I would like to draw your attention to the significance and impact of this celebration to the journalists and media practitioners all over the globe. And also the origine of this day and the role of UNESCO, UN General Assembly and the governments role fostering and upholding Freedom of the press in their Countries.

° World Press Freedom Day is celebrated every year on 3 May to *reaffirm the commitment to one of the fundamental pillars of democracy: Media freedom. Free independent, and diverse journalism is essential to any democratic society. However it remains under threat even within some European Union states and without it democracy can not function.

✓ The United Nations General Assembly declared May 3 to be World Press Freedom Day, observed to raise awareness of the importance of Freedom of the Press and reminds governments of their duty to respect and uphold the right to Freedom of expression enshrined under Article 19 of the 1948 Universal Declaration of Human Rights and marking the anniversary of the Windhoek Declaration, a statement of free press principles put together by African newspaper journalists in Windhoek 1991.
° What is the importance of 3 May Day celebration in global Press:
✓ The celebration of World Press Freedom Day on 3 May acts as a reminder to governments of the need to respect their commitment to press Freedom and is also a day of reflection among media professional ethics. World Press Freedom Day is a day to support the media which are targets for the restraints, or abolition of press Freedom. It is also a day of remembrance for the journalists who lost their lives why trying to gather news items for the production of the story. News coverage by Journalists on the field is so challenging and their safety is a cause for concern.

° World Press Freedom Day Celebration; Case study of Cameroon, in Africa.

✓ Cameroon joined the global media family on 3 May 2025, to commemorate World Press Freedom Day with focus on the profound influence of **Artificial Intelligence ( AI ) on Journalism and media under the theme: Reporting in Brave New World - The impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media.
✓On 3, May every year, Cameroon joins the global community in the commemoration of this day, on this date, to celebrate the fundamental principles of Press Freedom, and to evaluate Press Freedom around the world, defend the media from attacks on their independence and to pay tribute to journalists who have lost their lives in the exercise of their profession. Infact this World Press Freedom Day was proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993.
° How the Day was celebrated in Cameroon.



✓ Celebrating the Press Freedom Day in Cameroon the Minister of communication while addressing the Journalists and media practitioners in Cameroon on the occasion of the commemoration of *world Press Freedom Day" said press Freedom is a reality in the Country and Journalists are operating in complete freedom and safety, " Cameroon is today a state governed by the rule of law and democracy where journalists practice their profession in complete freedom and safety" which contradicts with what is happening on ground. In the state where there are over 760 media organs; 95 Tv channels, 139 commercial radio stations, 232 Print publications, 72 online media platforms and 65 cable operators, according to mapping out report of the media organs by Cameroon's National Communication Council (NCC ). Press is still subject to censorship and government bottle necks. Even the protection and safety of the Journalists is not guaranteed.

✓ World Press Freedom Day celebration in Bamenda:
Prior to the celebration of the world Press Freedom Day on 3 May, 2025, journalists in Bamenda gathered under the banner of Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ ) to Mark World Press Freedom Day even as the country continues to rank among the most repressive environments for the Media in sub Saharan Africa. Celebrating under the theme: " Reporting in the brave New World - The impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media". The event which brought the media men and women in the region, was characterized by activities such as speeches, panel discussion and comedy performances grace the day. However the celebration stood in sharp contrast to grim realities facing many media men and women across the Country.



✓ X-raying the media realities, which are torture, harassment, arbitrary arrest, lethal force, imprisonment, and death, where their only crime was doing the work they have been trained to do. They cited names of journalists who became victims of press reprisals: Names like Bibi Ngota, a radio host who died in prison in January 2015, while awaiting trial. It is alleged his case was politically motivated. There's also journalist Samuel Wazizi, a presenter for CMTV in Buea who was arrested and finally admitted death in custody. Not forgetting Martinez Zogo, director of Amplitude Fm, who was abducted and later found deaths, and till today justice has not been served despite the arrest no conviction has been made. His body still remains in the morgue for a pretty long.
✓ And talking about safety, Bamenda still remains one of most difficult place for the practice of journalism. Freedom house and Reporters without Borders consistently rank Cameroon among the most hostile countries for journalists. It should be noted that in 2024, world Press Freedom index, Reporters without Borders placed Cameroon 138th out of 180, citing a climate of fear and state censorship. Some journalists in Bamenda have lost their lives in the field why gathering news items due to the social upheaval that has made the practice of journalism very difficult in the crisis stricken regions of the Country.

✓ Talking about the theme of the day's celebration and the implications of Artificial Intelligence for Journalism, many reporters said they are still fighting the basic; which is their right to report freely, safely and without fear of reprisal. "There is no real AI for us yet," said one of journalists, "We are still being arrested, tortured, beaten, and killed".

° Celebration in Douala Cameroon:
✓ As part of the activities to mark **World Press Freedom Day 2025, celebrated under the theme: "Reporting, in Brave New World: The impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom", Douala **Doula chapter of CAMASEJ organized a fitness Exercise at parcours Vita Douala prior to the celebration. This because they believe Healthy Journalists, healthy stories". Thus they had to sweat out the stress, build strength, and connect in a refreshing outdoor environment and before driving into deeper conversation and digital transformation.


° The Yaounde chapter of the Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists ( CAMASEJ ) participated in a sport walk, clean up campaign for a healthy environment, prior to the 2025 World Press Freedom Day. The impact of Artificial Intelligence on Press Freedom and the Media underscores the significant influence of AI on Journalism and challenges it poses to press Freedom and information exchange.


° Meanwhile, Buea and other regions celebrated in the day in speeches, panel discussion and other fulfilling activities. CBS radio, FM 95.30mhz held activities focusing on the practice of journalism.


✓ Freedom of press in the face of AI revolution. AI: World Press Freedom Day 3 May. Media outlets are grappling with low to balance AI use with maintaining good practices and audience trust and engagement.
Images: source; getty, CNA, facebook