The National Communication Council (NCC) has announced sanctions against several Cameroonian media organs and journalists for spreading hateful and seditious speech. In a statement released on June 2, the NCC stated that it has been actively engaged in addressing the problem of hate speech in the media since before the last presidential election in 2018.
The NCC has reiterated its commitment to upholding national values of peace, unity, living together, social cohesion, and national integration, and has warned media professionals of the seriousness of the ramifications that may ensue from publishing or broadcasting hateful and conflict-inducing statements.
As a result of its examination of registered cases during its 38th ordinary session, the NCC has taken the following decisions:
Voice Radio has been definitively banned from operating after allegedly broadcasting unsustained and offensive comments likely to discredit persons during a program dubbed "La Republic and Marsh."
Vision 4 television and Bidjang Oba'a Bikoro Bruno Francois, a journalist with the station, have been suspended for one month. The decision was made following comments likely to harm national unity and social cohesion made by a panelist during the Sunday program " Club d’Eltes" anchored by him on April 16, 2023.
Info TV and its station manager, Parfait Ayissi Etoa, and journalist Parfait Ayissi Etoa, have been issued a warning and suspended for one month, respectively. The decision was made following stigmatizing comments made by a panelist against an ethnic group during the program dubbed "Espace Miné" anchored by him on April 25, 2023.
Print media organ “100SURHEBDO” and its publisher, Tchouta Stanislas Desire, have been suspended from his position as publisher and from exercising their profession of journalists in Cameroon for a period of three months. The print media organ has also been suspended for one month. The decision was made following the publication of an offense and lurid image which explicitly depicted two adults copulating, paying no attention to public decency and propriety.
The NCC has called on media professionals to uphold their inalienable right to freely inform the public of proven facts in light of their watchdog and whistleblowing obligations. However, it has emphasized the need to avoid publishing or broadcasting hateful and conflict-inducing statements and has warned that it will enforce the full range of sanctions provided for by the legislation in force when necessary.
The NCC's actions reflect its commitment to promoting social peace, national unity, and integrity in all media. It is hoped that these sanctions will serve as a warning to other media organs and journalists to avoid spreading hateful and seditious speech, and will contribute to a more peaceful and cohesive society in Cameroon.
Sa'ah Siona Ikei, The Post Newspaper.
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