Yaoundé, the nation’s capital, played host to a two-day workshop organised by the humanitarian organisation, Plan International, and partner, MTN Cameroon, one of the renowned mobile telecommunications companies in the country.
The workshop that brought close to 30 journalists, bloggers and experts in child protection and juvenile issues took place from June 24 to 25, 2026, at the head office of Plan International Cameroon in Bastos.
Children need to be protected.
At the start of the workshop, it was outlined that Children are universally recognized as individuals with evolving capacities. They have the same fundamental human rights as adults, and they require specialized care, love, and protection from violence, abuse, and exploitation to ensure healthy development.
The image of children should be protected in any situation that arises and should never be a subject of breaking news on social networks or media channels.
This was repeated during the two training sessions by experts and staff of Plan International Cameroon who conducted the workshop.
It was disclosed that: “A child out of 3 is a victim of child abuse in Cameroon.’’ And with the current scourge in the country, this training session comes at a crucial moment to revamp journalists’ skills.
Opening the workshop, Protection Specialist at Plan International Cameroon, Gaelle Beri, said: “A month alone is not enough, and the media role remains essential. Interventions shall be known and coordinated. MTN Foundation will be a key partner with whom all can be shaped.”
She praised the fruitful partnership established with MTN Cameroon. And most importantly, this initiative dubbed: “Help Children Be Children” comes in to highlight how children are human beings who need care and love.
On his part, Dr. Donkeng Eddy-Patrick, Head of the Communication and Influencing department at Plan International Cameroon, said participants at this training workshop were selected on some critical bases, notably their active involvement in child and youth reporting issues. He reiterated the fact that the workshop is not only to upgrade the skills of media practitioners but also a means to build a new network of ambassadors for child protection and ethical reporting.
Dr. Donkeng Eddy-Patrick underscored the need for the media actors trained to be champions of change in the various narratives that are projected about children in our society.
Plan International’s Global Policy on Safeguarding Children was equally presented to participants by Josiane Ngouleu, Safeguarding Specialist and PSHEAD at Plan International Cameroon.
She emphasized this important note as one of the core principles of Plan International worldwide.
During the training, Mrs. Ngouleu also seized the occasion to highlight some critical tips that journalists need to follow while reporting on children and how to make shots on the field.
Media practitioners described as vectors of Change
The session, animated by a variety of experts, allowed media actors to discuss issues affecting professional ethics and the multiple hindrances they face in the course of their daily duties.
Magistrate Ovono Ondoua Xavier Ulrich, in his presentation, made an in-depth exposé on children’s rights. He said that, in terms of legal proceedings, children are protected, but many media professionals are not well informed, and there are a lot of sanctions attributed to irresponsible parents.
Mr. Ovono Ondoua outlined the importance of article 1382 of the civil code that states the fundamental legal basis for civil liability regarding personal faults.
Pr. Moncher Nsangou Moustapha, Health Sociologist, also entertained participants on their role as vectors for change in society. He said journalists, bloggers and content creators, if acting together, can counteract some ills to which people expose children nowadays.
Another presentation on the topic, “Understanding new logics of information in the era of the digital world and the economic cost of mediatisation of unethical violence done on children,” was highlighted by prominent researcher, Dr. Albert Ze of the Institute of Research on Health and Development, IRESADE. He explained the different costs incurred by social media users and media professionals.
Also among the different experts who upskilled participants was Dr. Taka Ebong Nathalie of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Civic Education (MINJEC); she primarily emphasized various programs put in place by MINJEC regarding juvenile delinquency observed in our society.
She focused on the “PRONEC-REAMORCE” program, which is a flagship government initiative put in place in February 2024 that seeks to fight against incivility by instilling patriotism, ethics, and entrepreneurial skills that help in fostering social cohesion and youth empowerment.
Dr. Afounde Jeannette, one of the speakers, said media professionals have the responsibility to report on issues that could positively help in building childhood by portraying images that could, in a few years, be documented. She said children should not be exposed anyhow on social networks.
MTN Cameroon, a key ally of Plan International Cameroon
A session dedicated to MTN Cameroon, partner of Plan International Cameroon in this project, was animated by Mrs. Mengbwa Fernande of the MTN Foundation.
In her session, she said MTN Cameroon has put in place several initiatives aimed at protecting children online.
Mrs. Mengbwa said the project “Help Children Be Children” is a key initiative put in place for child online programmes.
“Children are protected online because the cyberspace is very complicated and is even described today as dangerous for them, with people taking fake identities and passing themselves for other people.” Fernande Mengbwa said.She added: “A child can easily be deceived once the person behind the pseudo name discusses familiarity issues with them, such as I am a friend to your father, mother, etc.”
The workshop unfolded on day two with media professionals being drilled on key aspects to follow while writing a non-sensational story that carries child protection messages. Dr. Eddy-Patrick, who conducted the session, told media professionals that after their Douala workshop with journalists in the Littoral region, a new media network will be set up for the active protection of children’s rights in the country.
Elise Kenimbeni
