Anglophones, Private Media Marginalized At Yaounde National Communication Forum

By Musa Isa

The rare forum for communicators billed for Yaounde , December 5-7, 2012 may not emerge to be a representation of the corp. threats of boycott and disgruntled over the composition of parliaments has since become an issue. By press time, Chronicle subsumed that the public media that has been soliciting for such a forum, have since regretted why it is called-up. Following Chronicle’s investigations, participants had since been reduced to only present and past state employers, especially those who have worked or working with the official media- CRTV or Cameroon Tribune.

So far, some 500 participants have been earmarked for the forum. A list of the composition of members of the scientific committee, pinpoints a neglect. Out of the nearly 300 members appointed by decision No. 057/MINCOM/CAB of November 28, 2012 less than 20 Anglophones have been selected.

Jessie Atogho, Shey Peter Mabu, Emmanuel Tataw, Eric Chinje, Nyoh Moses, Adamu Musa, Gideon Taka, Ful Peter, Anne Nsang, Tricia Oben, Ashu Nyenti, Chief Nkemanyang Paul, Ekoko and Collins Mukete and Charly Ndi Chia. Many have questioned where are the big names in Anglophone journalism. Publishers like Zach Ngandembou, Francis Wache, Boniface Fobin, Eric Motomu are not in the “so-called scientific committee”.

A fortnight ago, invitations were dished out to those considered as participants at the forum. Even Chronicle, the leading English newspaper was not invited. This has since raised doubts as to the credibility of the participants. Pricked to question why Chronicle was not invited, we were never given any adequate response. Chronicle was merely told to apply for accreditation.

The list published by Issa Tchiroma to constitute the scientific committee at the forum, Chronicle sample, is paltry. It comprises of names of those who once worked with CRTV/Cameroon Tribune or those in service; reason why the likes of Joseph Marcel Ndi, Abel Mbengue, Zachary Nkwo, Eric Chinje, Peter Esoka, were still being floated.

Some journalists have questioned whether the forum would reflect the geopolitical balance today. Worthy to note, that it was Prof. Jacques Fame Ndongo, who opined how Anglophone representation at CRTV overshadowed the 20:80 equation of work force in Cameroon . Yet, Chronicle’s investigation pinpoints to the fact that less than 10% of Anglophones would be represented at this week’s forum.

North West based journalists/publishers operating under the banner of the Union of North West Newspaper Publishers have expressed disgust in a memo. It is addressed to President Paul Biya.

Should it be previewed that the upcoming forum would adequately address the plight of the private press, then it would be less so. (Affair a suivre…)