Le Messager anniversary celebrates truth, freedom, journalism

Mitch Land, interim dean of the Frank W. and Sue Mayborn School of Journalism, stressed the importance of journalism and the importance of truth as the 30th anniversary of Le Messager, the daily newspaper in Douala, Cameroon, ended.

Land was among an international contingent of journalists, civic and political leaders who joined Pius Njawe, the newspaper’s publisher, in the series of week long events, including seminars, lectures and performances.

In spring 2001, the newspaper’s founder, Pius Njawe, was a visiting lecturer in the University of North Texas’ Department of Journalism. During Njawe’s semester-long visit, he shared stories with students and the community about running a newspaper in a country that fought against press freedoms.

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Dr. Mitch Land