"Speaking freely can cost your life" – the doctoral student's strong return from Cameroon

The faculty's ambition to increase the internationalisation of research through increased exchange with research environments outside Sweden made it possible for Christian, a doctoral student at the Department of Communication, Quality Technology and Information Systems (KKI) and the research centre Demicom, to travel on exchange to Cameroon.

As a former journalist in Cameroon, he knows what it means to work in a repressive media environment – and how important it is to build bridges between researchers across national borders.

Cross-border cooperation

During his visit to the Department of Journalism and Mass Communication (JMC) at the University of Buea, Christian focused on making connections and exploring opportunities for collaboration.
"I work with issues related to disinformation and political fact-checking, and there are researchers in Buea in the same field," he says.
Together, they discussed opportunities to write and publish scientific articles and to participate in international conferences. During his stay, he also met students, the head of the JMC department and the deputy vice-chancellor with responsibility for research and collaboration.

A complex media environment

Christian himself has experience of working as a journalist in Cameroon between 2004 and 2009 – a time that was characterized by great challenges.
"It's a very difficult environment to freely practice the profession in. Cameroon's President Paul Biya has established a system that is very repressive against journalists who criticize the regime, he says.
While state media outlets act as mouthpieces for the government, journalists in private media are at risk of being imprisoned or even murdered for their investigative reporting. Christian mentions several cases where journalists have been subjected to violence or imprisonment, including Martinez Zogo and Samuel Wazizi.
"Cameroon is a dictatorship disguised as democracy. The regime allows many media organisations to exist in order to give the appearance of freedom of the press, but in practice it is very difficult to work freely as a journalist.

Major differences in research conditions

The differences between doing research in Sweden and in Cameroon are clear, according to Christian.
"The human expertise is there, but the lack of funding, equipment and infrastructure makes the researchers' work more difficult.
Despite this, there is a strong desire for continued cooperation.
"We plan to write an article about traditional media's reporting of false claims during the covid pandemic in Cameroon and Sweden. It is a first step in a long-term collaboration.

Personal insights and faith in the future

The trip has left a deep impression.
"Meeting other researchers and visiting new research environments is extremely enriching. I left my comfort zone and got to share my thoughts with others than my colleagues here at Mid Sweden University.
The exchange also gave a personal insight:
"I realized how privileged I am to be able to work in Sweden. I myself come from Cameroon and know how difficult it can be to study there – lack of computers, books, lecture halls, internet and electricity. It's not easy.

Advice to other doctoral students

To other doctoral students who are considering an exchange, Christian has a clear piece of advice:
"I really encourage others to give it a try. Maybe don't start with a completely unknown country, but choose a country you have some knowledge of and where there are researchers and institutions relevant to your subject.

An experience that shapes the future

How does this experience affect your future career?
"I think it will make me more confident in collaborating on projects in the future. It has strengthened my courage and initiative, and it has definitely expanded my network in the research world," Christian concludes.