Two separate press releases by the North west Chapters of the Cameroon association of English Speaking Journalists, CAMASEJ, and the Cameroon Journalists Trade union have been signed and circulated all over social media. The releases call for total boycot by all their members, the security meeting and Press Conference of the minister of territorial administration, Atanga Nji Paul who is expected in the region, March 22nd. Also, they ask that, an interview circulated by the Regional Delegation of Communication for the North West to radio houses be stopped from going on air.
Firstly they complain that the audio clip from Joint Region Commander of North West and West region, General Agha Robinson is too long to be given free airtime as many times as possible (18Mins) given that most are commercial radio stations. Again, the recorded voice of the General was done without basic abilities of professionalism meaning they will have to reproduce the content. The message sides a great deal with Government’s narrative in the ongoing crisis in the region which the Journalists fear that might be risky airing it during this period of chaotic attacks on every sector by separatist fighters. To the Journalists, it’s a campaign and should be fully negotiated with their respective media organs and their trade Unions incase of any eventuality.
The message delivered by the Regional Delegation of Communication for North West ask the radio managers to broadcast the message as many times as possible. In the audio recorded in Pidgin to enable it reach the grassroots, the General calls for fighters of the “So Called Ambazonia State”, to drop their arms and come over to them for jobs and integration, a move that has not been welcomed by the opposing camp since the commission of Disarmament was formed.
The other issue deals with the methodology in which invitation for a ministerial coverage is done. To the reporters, its totally unacceptable that, a minister’s visit to the region will be haphazard and sketchy in form and structure. To handpick a pro government, overzealous and troublesome colleague of theirs who always impersonate the entire Press of the region to now pass through messages of the Ministry of territorial administration is sickening to the Media Professionals and high disrespect to the corp. They expect the communication Unit of the Ministry of Territorial Administration to do their job via the association heads or media houses. This will help bring all on board so that the right publications can be done void of misinformation.
It is for these reason that both decided to call a blackout to all the events as they insist that they can’t be used for political gains. Many journalists also complain that they is always some conspiracy in paying media houses after work done, the money usually chopped by organisers in Government offices while these poor media houses pay exorbitant taxes.
Journalist in Bamenda are inbetween the devil and red sea. Many have been threatened by separatist fighters and Government military for doing their jobs. Some have been arrested and others kidnapped by militia forces. Ambe MacMillan, president of CAMASEJ North West had been kidnapped for standing for school resumption in the trouble region.
The leaders of both associations say, their move is in a new strive to stamping sanity, respect and professionalism in the media business of the region. The members have welcomed the decision and are willing to follow to the latter. They say the disdain with which Government offices and event organisers treat them in the region comparatively to other regions, is totally demeaning, adding that they need peace and normalcy in the region, but not when non media actors feed fat from their works.
However, they have given the Minister and the General the room to do the right thing, by dealing with the right people in the Press business of the region to avoid impersonating and misleading the population with wrong and unprofessional information. Only then will the situation on boycot be revoked.
Members of both associations who default today’s order will be sanctioned according to laws of the unions
