By Andrew Nsoseka
Journalists in Cameroon have made it easier for politicians to successfully split them up into numerous visionless unions for easy manipulation and control.
The plethora of journalism associations that inundate the media landscape today has only helped to reduce to the corps to an organised group of beggars, surviving on the crumbs of those they should be holding accountable.
As such, instead of reporting against corruption, bad governance and holding the other arms of Government accountable to the society, journalists through their various associations have instead become smooth messengers, covering-up and aiding bad governance, a practice that is killing democracy and empowering political bullies.
It is true that new journalist unions in Cameroon pop up daily like mushrooms. It only suffices for a group of journalists to sit and come up with an idea for a union without a clear-cut vision for the association.
All they often want is to meet with this or that Minister or politician for reasons best known to them.
Funny acronyms are coined and a begging bowl taken to the target to ‘grab’ and in return, shower praises in ‘news’ reports about the said ‘God-given’ Minister, or politician.
The proliferation of journalists’ associations in Cameroon is just like that of halleluiah churches on the streets.
However, what these numerous associations have done to journalists is that they have reduced Journalists’ strength to play their watchdog role in society. This has given room for politicians, who dole out some few banknotes to these mushroom unions, to infiltrate them and start violating their rights, knowing that the profession is so fragmented and that no industrial action can be successfully taken against them.
In many cases, arrogant politicians have demeaned the very journalists they group and pay to ‘shine their shit’. They brag that journalists are hungry people who come to them for food and as such, they cannot write anything negative about them.
In Cameroon, the absence of a strong Journalist Union like the Nigerian Union of Journalists is partly responsible for the shabby treatment Journalists often receive.
Some corrupt politicians are even sponsoring some journalism associations, which they used to counter reports about them.
One of such politicians once stated: “I have all the Journalists in my pockets”.
Meanwhile, some Journalists associations find it difficult to sanitise the profession, as their activities are often sabotaged from within by colleagues whose pecuniary interests are threatened.
Cameroon has the following press associations: Cameroon Association of English-speaking Journalists, the Confederation of Cameroon Anglophone Journalists for a United and Stable Cameroon, Cameroon Community Media Network, Cameroon Union of Journalists, Commonwealth Journalists Association, Union of Cameroon Journalists, Cameroon English Newspaper Reporters Association, Journalists for Decentralisation, Association of Environmental Reporters, Cameroon Association of Sports Journalists, Cameroon Journalists Trade Union, Cameroon Association of Political Reporters, and many others.
The list is inexhaustible, journalists covering different beats like sports, politics, economics, environment, culture, showbiz, tech, human rights, and others have grouped themselves together.
Publishers are not left out. They too are in search of quick ways to marry with politicians for their own 30 pieces of silver.
They too have fragmented themselves in the following in following associations (English Newspaper publishers); Cameroon Anglophone Publishers Association, CANPA and Cameroon English Language Newspaper Publishers’ Association, CENPA. Whether by design or coincidence, the acronyms sound almost the same.
To make the situation worse, unions of ‘media men without morals’ as I call them, who are paid to do the biddings of politicians and cover-up misdeeds, are showered with advertising money, while those who try to hold officials to account, either have adverts withdrawn from them, or in most cases, officials refuse to pay huge sums owed them in advertising money.
Critical reporting irks politicians and ‘stubborn media organs’ do not get paid.
Cameroon Tribune’s columnist, Roger Ngonmenyui in one of his write-ups titled “Journalists: Form One Formidable Union or Continue To Cry Over Spilled Milk”, lamented over the shabby treatment of a senior colleague, Julius Teke, by Former PM, Philemon Yang, who ordered for Teke’s arrest on grounds that he was recording him during a public outing to evaluate projects in the Southwest Region.
Ngonmenyui wrote that following “the incident, tempers flared, with journalists promising hell for the regime. Ink did flow on tabloids. However, tongues produced fire on radios and TVs as the situation was being analysed differently.”
“Many journalists took to the social media and showed their selective solidarity. CAMASEJ issued a press release demanding an unconditional and immediate release of Teke. Other journalism associations were very quiet on the issue, probably because their interests were not touched.”
The working conditions of journalists in Cameroon are precarious and only a strong Journalism association can fight for something better.
A vibrant association is also needed to cleanse the profession from charlatans, strengthen the bond among members of the corps, assert its watchdog role and uphold the ethics and deontology of the profession. The situation of journalists can only be better if they practice real journalism, by enhancing the people’s right to know, speak out freely and advance Cameroon’s weak democracy. As the US Department of State wrote, in “An Unfettered Press”, “the press and Government are natural adversaries with different functions, and each must respect the role of the other”.
73 comments
That is very fascinating, You’re a very skilled blogger.
I have joined your rss feed and stay up for searching for more of your magnificent post.
Also, I have shared your website in my social networks Chelsea Fotbollströja Barn Supporterprodukter
Hi there, just became aware of your blog through Google, and found that it is really informative.
I am gonna watch out for brussels. I will appreciate if you continue this in future.
Lots of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers! Najlepsze escape roomy
Very interesting points you have remarked, appreciate it for posting.?
Great article. I will be facing many of these issues as well..
This is a great tip especially to those fresh to the blogosphere. Short but very accurate info… Many thanks for sharing this one. A must read post.
You have made some really good points there. I checked on the net for more info about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this site.
I was more than happy to discover this page. I want to to thank you for ones time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to look at new stuff on your website.
Your style is very unique compared to other folks I have read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you’ve got the opportunity, Guess I’ll just book mark this site.
I blog frequently and I truly appreciate your information. The article has truly peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new information about once a week. I opted in for your Feed as well.
Pretty! This has been an incredibly wonderful post. Thanks for supplying this information.
You’re so awesome! I don’t believe I have read something like this before. So nice to discover someone with some genuine thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This website is one thing that’s needed on the internet, someone with some originality.
This is a good tip especially to those new to the blogosphere. Simple but very precise information… Appreciate your sharing this one. A must read article.
I couldn’t refrain from commenting. Perfectly written.
I was more than happy to discover this web site. I need to to thank you for your time for this particularly fantastic read!! I definitely really liked every little bit of it and i also have you bookmarked to look at new stuff on your blog.
Your style is really unique compared to other people I’ve read stuff from. Thanks for posting when you have the opportunity, Guess I’ll just bookmark this blog.
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful post. Thanks for providing these details.
Greetings, I think your blog could possibly be having internet browser compatibility issues. Whenever I take a look at your blog in Safari, it looks fine however when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to provide you with a quick heads up! Apart from that, wonderful blog!
Everything is very open with a very clear explanation of the challenges. It was really informative. Your website is very useful. Many thanks for sharing.
A fascinating discussion is worth comment. There’s no doubt that that you ought to write more on this subject matter, it might not be a taboo matter but typically people don’t speak about these topics. To the next! Cheers!
I needed to thank you for this very good read!! I absolutely loved every little bit of it. I have you book-marked to check out new stuff you post…
I absolutely love your website.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you make this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m looking to create my own site and want to find out where you got this from or just what the theme is called. Cheers.
Pretty! This was an extremely wonderful article. Thank you for supplying these details.
I could not resist commenting. Exceptionally well written!
An outstanding share! I have just forwarded this onto a colleague who was doing a little research on this. And he in fact bought me dinner simply because I stumbled upon it for him… lol. So allow me to reword this…. Thanks for the meal!! But yeah, thanks for spending time to discuss this matter here on your internet site.
Right here is the perfect webpage for anybody who would like to find out about this topic. You realize so much its almost hard to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You certainly put a fresh spin on a topic that has been discussed for many years. Excellent stuff, just excellent.
Excellent article! We will be linking to this particularly great content on our website. Keep up the good writing.
I used to be able to find good advice from your articles.
This website truly has all of the information and facts I needed about this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
This site was… how do I say it? Relevant!! Finally I have found something that helped me. Thank you!
Real wonderful information can be found on weblog. Travel guide
Very good article. I am experiencing some of these issues as well..
I want to to thank you for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoyed every little bit of it. I have got you saved as a favorite to check out new things you post…
Spot on with this write-up, I honestly believe this web site needs a lot more attention. I’ll probably be returning to read more, thanks for the info.
It’s hard to come by knowledgeable people for this subject, however, you seem like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
I seriously love your blog.. Excellent colors & theme. Did you build this site yourself? Please reply back as I’m hoping to create my own personal site and want to know where you got this from or what the theme is named. Thank you.
When I originally commented I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on whenever a comment is added I get 4 emails with the exact same comment. Perhaps there is an easy method you are able to remove me from that service? Kudos.
This is the perfect website for anybody who wants to understand this topic. You know so much its almost tough to argue with you (not that I actually will need to…HaHa). You definitely put a fresh spin on a subject that’s been discussed for decades. Excellent stuff, just wonderful.
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in writing this website. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade content from you in the future as well. In truth, your creative writing abilities has inspired me to get my own, personal site now 😉
You are so cool! I do not believe I’ve truly read through something like this before. So nice to discover someone with some unique thoughts on this subject. Seriously.. thanks for starting this up. This web site is one thing that is needed on the web, someone with a little originality.
Howdy, I do believe your website might be having web browser compatibility problems. Whenever I look at your web site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I just wanted to give you a quick heads up! Besides that, excellent blog!
Good post. I learn something new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon on a daily basis. It will always be exciting to read through content from other writers and practice a little something from their websites.
Having read this I believed it was extremely enlightening. I appreciate you taking the time and effort to put this short article together. I once again find myself spending a lot of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!
I like looking through an article that can make men and women think. Also, thank you for allowing me to comment.
Next time I read a blog, Hopefully it doesn’t disappoint me just as much as this particular one. After all, I know it was my choice to read, nonetheless I actually thought you’d have something useful to talk about. All I hear is a bunch of complaining about something that you can fix if you weren’t too busy looking for attention.
Everything is very open with a clear clarification of the issues. It was truly informative. Your website is extremely helpful. Thanks for sharing!
When I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and now whenever a comment is added I recieve four emails with the same comment. There has to be a means you are able to remove me from that service? Appreciate it.
After looking into a few of the blog articles on your web site, I seriously like your technique of writing a blog. I saved as a favorite it to my bookmark webpage list and will be checking back in the near future. Please check out my website as well and tell me your opinion.
I really like it when people get together and share views. Great site, keep it up.
Pretty! This has been an extremely wonderful post. Thanks for providing these details.
There’s definately a lot to find out about this topic. I really like all of the points you have made.
Good web site you’ve got here.. It’s hard to find high-quality writing like yours these days. I really appreciate individuals like you! Take care!!
I wanted to thank you for this wonderful read!! I definitely loved every bit of it. I’ve got you book-marked to check out new stuff you post…
Very nice write-up. I absolutely love this website. Thanks!
You ought to take part in a contest for one of the greatest websites online. I will highly recommend this site!
Having read this I thought it was really informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this information together. I once again find myself spending a significant amount of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile!
Very good post. I will be dealing with many of these issues as well..
This page definitely has all of the info I needed concerning this subject and didn’t know who to ask.
Hi there, I believe your blog could possibly be having browser compatibility issues. When I take a look at your site in Safari, it looks fine however, when opening in I.E., it’s got some overlapping issues. I simply wanted to give you a quick heads up! Other than that, excellent site!
Having read this I believed it was very informative. I appreciate you spending some time and effort to put this informative article together. I once again find myself personally spending way too much time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worthwhile.
You’re so interesting! I do not believe I’ve read anything like that before. So good to find someone with unique thoughts on this issue. Seriously.. thank you for starting this up. This site is something that is needed on the internet, someone with a little originality.
Everything is very open with a clear description of the challenges. It was truly informative. Your site is extremely helpful. Thank you for sharing!
Saved as a favorite, I like your web site.
I’d like to thank you for the efforts you have put in penning this website. I’m hoping to see the same high-grade blog posts from you in the future as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my own, personal website now 😉
It’s difficult to find educated people in this particular subject, however, you sound like you know what you’re talking about! Thanks
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this website before but after looking at some of the articles I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m certainly happy I came across it and I’ll be book-marking it and checking back frequently.
I have to thank you for the efforts you’ve put in penning this blog. I really hope to see the same high-grade content from you later on as well. In fact, your creative writing abilities has encouraged me to get my very own website now 😉
Good post. I learn something totally new and challenging on sites I stumbleupon everyday. It will always be useful to read through articles from other authors and use something from their web sites.
Excellent write-up. I certainly love this site. Continue the good work!
Good day! I could have sworn I’ve been to this site before but after browsing through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Nonetheless, I’m definitely delighted I came across it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often.
Aw, this was a very nice post. Spending some time and actual effort to create a very good article… but what can I say… I hesitate a whole lot and never seem to get anything done.
Hello there! I could have sworn I’ve visited this blog before but after going through some of the posts I realized it’s new to me. Regardless, I’m certainly happy I came across it and I’ll be bookmarking it and checking back often!
I was able to find good info from your blog articles.
I could not resist commenting. Very well written.