Unsung hero: Discovering Cameroon’s most published journalist
Mbom Sixtus is arguably Cameroon’s most prolific journalist of his generation, counting over 2,000 bylines since he started full-time journalism practice in 2007. The University of Buea-trained reporter is also outstanding in that he beats the record of any single Cameroonian journalist to have been published or republished by multiple local and international media outlets.
In addition to his several stints in radio and tel- evision broadcasting-including Pan-African television, Afrique Media-Mbom’s incisive and breath-taking stories have been published by at least 25 local media organs, viz: The Guardian Post, Cameroon Tribune, The Post, The Voice, Cameroon Business Today, The Median, Life Time, The Herald Tribune, The Horizon, Menchum Voice, The Eye, The Standard Tribune, Cameroon Insider, Chronicles, Independent Observer, The Cameroon Journal, World Echoes, Journal du Cameroon, Mimi Mefo Info, Cameroon News Agency, Timescape Magazine, The Times Journal, Cameroon Express, Hilltop Voices, The Drum, amongst others.
Mbom’s fine pen and his attention to nitty-gritty in reporting have caught the attention of renowned regional and international media out- lets which have commissioned and published his stories. Notable amongst them are: Al Jazeera (Qatar), Thompson Reuters Foundation News (New York), Quartz Africa (New York), The New Humanitarian (Geneva), African Arguments (London), Asia Times (New York), Inter Press Service (Rome), China Africa Magazine (Beijing), Info Congo (Abidjan), Africa-China Reporting Project (Johannesburg), German Press Agency (Berlin), Blasting News UK, Biel Extra (Switzerland), Earth Journalism Network (USA) and Religion News Association(USA).
In the last 15 years, Mbom’s groundbreaking reporting has cut across several topics. His has commendably reported on politics, economy, technology, climate change, human rights, corruption, conflict, climate change, culture, and global development.
People who know Mbom and observers of the media within and without Cameroon say the 37- year-old journalist is an ingenious, critical and innovative person. Mbom has also been noted for his inquisitive character and his critical approach to issues, his attention to details, and his ability to put up with very long working hours.
One time when Mbom was distinguished, he was lauded for being assiduous, disciplined, and cautious in his work. In his character, he is an adherent of the rigorous tradition of journalistic independence, fairness and balance. Mbom has also been noted for having a lot of respect for authority, though his critical pen doesn’t always go down well with them.
A former colleague attested to the fact that Mbom encapsulates the necessary survival strategies required of a journalist operating in a hostile environment. He has remained passionate about advancing the quality of journalism in Cameroon. Little wonder, Mbom has been keen on coaching junior colleagues and giving orientation to entry-level professionals.
While working as Desk Editor and Desk Editor/Digital Content Manager at The Guardian Post and Journal du Cameroun respectively, he supervised tens of journalism students on internship.
Don’t take Mbom for granted. His has had citations by the Neiman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard and in 2019, Mbom won the Reham al-Farra Memorial Journalism Fellowship, during which he focused on climate finance, the United Nations’ role in promoting conflict-resolution and sustainable development in Cameroon, and the fight against violent extremism in the Lake Chad Basin.
The journalist of Kom/Bambui extraction is widely traveled within Cameroon and Africa and has now taken base in Maryland, United States of America, where he is exploring other exciting opportunities.
Married to a beautiful wife, and a father of three, Mbom takes delight in spending quality time with his family and meditating on the word of God. Aside from this, in his free time, you will find Mbom streaming hip-hop and R&B music, trying out his dancing styles, and figuring out how to make the best of cocktails from a combination of boozes.
