Journalistic mediation in Cameroon

According to an abundance of literature and public opinion, the Cameroonian press has a bad reputation. Its pseudo-journalists, who are constantly criticised for their lack of professionalism, are nonetheless rewarded every year through platforms that promote journalistic excellence. These are the platforms run by the new associations grouped around the notion of journalistic mediation, which are then transposed as operating mechanisms for the professionalisation of Cameroonian journalists. For nearly a decade now, these increasingly numerous mediations in Cameroon have been creating a certain participatory emulation, but to varying degrees, calling into question their legitimacy. Which representation(s) do they stigmatise? Who are the mediators, who legitimise the productions in such a disenchanted media context? What is at stake for Cameroonian journalists? Two mediating associations are the subject of this reflection, namely Médiation Club, of the Médiations Press Trophies, and Tribunal Article 53, of the Bibi Ngota Prize.