By Fai Cassian Ndi
The National Chairman
of the main opposition party in Cameroon has petitioned two authoritative
English Language Newspapers to the National Communication Council-NCC. This
move by the National chairman of the Social Democratic Front-SDF has been
interpreted by Expressionists as an attempt to instill the closure of Chronicle and The Guardian Post
Newspapers, continue to attract a lot of debate in the media. Ni John Fru Ndi,
SDF chieftain in his complaint to the National Communication Council is quoted
to have said that these two newspapers want to frustrate his political agenda.
The Publisher of Chronicle Newspaper,
Eric Motomu told this reporter on phone that he was a bit embarrassed by the
attacked he has been receiving from the SDF. He also added that it is really
pitiful that Ni John Fru some months ago in a political gathering called on SDF
militants, sympathizers and supporters never to buy Chronicle. “That is also a move to kill Chronicle”
he lamented yet wondered how Fru Ndi was apt to complain to the communication
council about his critical analysis. Eric Motomu recalled how some years ago,
SDF tugs gave him a snake beating during a political rally in Fundong and he
felt unconscious yet Fru Ndi was there and never altered a single word. Eric
Motomu added that Chronicle received
a summon relating to Issue No 207 of March 2010 titled “Is Fru Ndi Grooming his Son to Succeed Him?”, Issue No 327 titled “8:2 Hangs on Kambiwa After Fru Ndi’s
Candidate Beaten at Socialist Elections in South Africa” as well as Issue
No 350 titled “How Fru Ndi Lost 34
Councilors In North West”.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa
Chronicle, The Guardian Post Newspapers now at the mercy of NCC, SDF |
On his part the Publisher
of The Guardian Post Ngah Christian
Mbipgoh in another phone conversation with this reporter confirmed that he received
summon from NCC. Accordingly, Ngah Christian also revealed that The Guardian Post was informed that “by letter of April 23, 2013, Mr. Ni John Fru
Ndi, chairman of the Social Democratic Front, filed a complaint to the
President of NCC” against The Guardian Post relating to issue No 0515 of
March 13, 2013 titled “Senatorials: Fru
Ndi Backpedals After Meeting with Presidency Money Bags; Now Decrees SDF
Participation in April 14 Senatorial Elections”. Ngah Christian said that even though The
Guardian Post was given latest June 5, 2013 to submit support documents and
eventual witnesses, the summon only arrived his office on June 5th
afternoon. Moreso, the letter we gathered arrived when the Publisher was out in
the field.
However, public
opinion is aghast at the manner at which politicians have been torturing
journalists in Cameroon. Some months ago, some journalists, radio and TV
programs were suspended by NCC. Two months ago, the Senior Divisional Officer
for Mezam, Nguele Nguele Philip sealed the door of Foundation Radio. In fact
despite claims that the Press in Cameroon is free, several acts continue to prevent
journalists from speaking the truth. Notwithstanding, if the National
Communication Council heeds to Fru Ndi’s call to close down these two news
organs, it would mean a stab in the back on freedom of expression. It should be
recalled that this is not the first open declaration by Ni John Fru Ndi against
Chronicle and The Guardian Post. It is alleged that some years ago, Fru Ndi
torn a copy of Chronicle and of late Ni John Fru Ndi told SDF militants that Chronicle,
The Guardian Post Newspapers were hired by the regime to destroy the SDF. It is
alleged that SDF chieftain even went as far as threatening that any of his
party officials who would be seen buying a copy of any of these newspaper or
having anything to do with them would be dismissed from the party. Implicitly, objective journalism means criticizing
President Biya and the CPDM and pouring kudos on Ni John Fru Ndi and the SDF
when a critical judgment analysis is made on this issue.
When News Breaks Out, We Break In. Minute by Minute Report on Cameroon and Africa
I think journalists should be more professional. There is a lot of information they give which have no proof just because they want to make money. There are many if challenged to support their allegations will fail. Rather than complaining of being clamped down, they should simply respect the rules of the profession.
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