By Fai Cassian Ndi
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa
The launching of the senatorial
campaigns by the ruling CPDM took place today April 5, 2013 in Bamenda under
the auspices of President of the CPDM campaign team for North West Fo Angwafo
III of Mankon, 1st National President of the CPDM. Sources hinted
that one of the key speakers during the launching was Madame Regina Mundi,
member of the CPDM Politbureau and Vice President of the campaign team. To Bamenda
based journalists of the private press, the launching of the senatorial
campaigns by the CPDM in the Northwest was considered as a non-event. Those who
took the pains to be part of the launching went home more confused than when they
were given that even the few councilors in Mezam were conspicuously absent, as
well as journalist. Journalists in Bamenda especially of the private media
according information gathered have decided to turn their backs on anything
CPDM at the regional level. Moreso it should be recalled that last March North
West Journalists and Newspaper publishers wrote to President Biya decrying the
poor treatment and sidelining of journalists of the private media during public
manifestations. In a letter signed by over 17 practicing journalists of the
private media, and another signed by 10 newspaper publishers based in the North
West Region, they complained bitterly that the independent media (print and
audio visual) were subjected to marginalization. Beside, they also mentioned
that during the 2011 Presidential elections, Northwest journalists were still
sidelined in the distribution of government support to private media. In the
letter to President Biya the two groups also observed that 10 million FCFA has
been disbursed to other regions to enable journalists cover the upcoming senatorial
election, yet Northwest Region was sidelined. They however observed that few
unscrupulous and misguided collaborators of the head of state in members of “government
are busy destroying” the good intention of the head of state “in the hope that
we will be mute as usual”.
Accordingly, the
journalists called on the head of state to look into their worries and that if
funds have been allocated to facilitate private media houses do their job
during the April 14, 2013, senatorial elections, media houses based in the
North West region should as well be given their own share. The unexpected took
place today at the launching in Bamenda as journalists of the private media really
demonstrated that they have decided to turn their backs on the CPDM. Talking to
this reporter on phone, one journalist name withheld said that since Northwest
elite under Yang Philemon have always claimed that they can easily manage the
press, they should do it. He said it is just the beginning because those
ministers who usually travel from Yaounde with their pocket journalists should
keep it up. Sources say the Press briefing by SDF Senatorial list leader was heavily attended by journalists as well as councilors as compared to what took place at the Bamenda Congress Hall today. "The same people traveled from Yaounde to Bamenda to come and address themselves", it is really unfortunate that these people continue to placard the CPDM to hide their ordeals, one passer-by is quoted to have observed.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa
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