Yaoundé, Cameroon -- Journalists from more than 20 African countries will gather in Douala, Cameroon, October 2-7 to discuss ways in which their profession can address a number of issues critical to strengthening the free press on the continent.  Building on meetings in Conakry, Guinea; Cotonou, Benin; and Bamako, Mali, in 2004, the conference aims to establish a functioning body to foster regional media development among 23 African countries.

Radio, television, print and Internet publishing professionals will share views on common problems, progress, and opportunities for a strengthened media, according to a U.S. Embassy press release announcing the event.  The program is intended to promote media advocacy and connectivity, and provide follow-up training.  The scope of contact will broaden within 12 to 18 months, seeking to include all African countries.

The Douala conference, organized by the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé, Cameroon, will draw participants from among media decision makers and young members committed to the process of media democratization.  Delegates will include representatives from media of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Congo-Brazzaville, Côte d'Ivoire, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Equatorial Guinea, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Madagascar, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Rwanda, Sao Tome, Senegal and Togo .  Also in attendance will be delegates from France and the United States.

The colloquium, which opens October 3 at the Akwa Palace Hotel in Douala, will be co-chaired by U.S. Ambassador Niels Marquardt and Cameroon Communications Ministry official Jean Paul Nanga Abanda.

Proceedings and planning sessions begin October 3 and conclude October 5 with a press conference to present final documents and determinations adopted by the delegates.  Discussion topics include barriers to honest journalism, standards and ethics, training requests, a bilingual Web site, links to global media groups, assistance to journalists in difficulty, and the adoption of a fair labor standards code.

By the close of the organizational meetings October 5, participants will select a steering committee for further actions and will also produce a Web site for networking and communication.  A Web site is being developed in Washington to facilitate communication among participants. It will become a permanent site for the Douala colloquium documents and.  Final documents are likely to include mission and ethics statements reflecting a consensus of participants, in the interest of building a stronger African media supporting transparency, accountability, good governance, a strong civil society, and future economic growth.

TOT (training of trainers) sessions will begin October 6 with pedagogical exercises developed in part by the World Press Freedom Committee and the International Center for Journalists.  Teleconferences will connect the group with journalists in Moscow, Paris and Miami.