Anglophone discrimination resurfaces at CRTV

The retirement of some senior editorial staff of the state owned broadcaster, CRTV has again brought the Anglophone plight to the limelight.

The retirement of Ful Peter who hitherto was Editor-in-Chief of the English news desk for radio has created tensions within the corporation.

Considered by many as still very productive and had much to offer in terms of mentorship and value to news content, Peter was denied an extension to retirement even when he requested for it, the Journal has gathered.

We learned equally that Ful Peter is to be accompanied to retirement by Joe Chebonkeng Kalabubse, Editor-in-Chief of the English desk for television, but the latter is yet to be served with the decision.

‘The Prime Minister wants Joe to stay but the Director General wants him to go so that is why his case is still complicated,’ an insider told The Journal on condition of anonymity.

“We are not advocating for people to extend their stay upon attaining retirement age but our concern is that if some go to retirement at 55 or 60years, then everybody who works for the corporation should go at that age,” our source noted.

The French language newspaper, Le Messager in its June 1, edition reported that the Prime Minister had through the Minister of Communication cum Board Chairman of the corporation instructed the Director General to extend Joe Chebonkeng’s stay but the Director has since been reticent to execute the instructions and that is why Joe’s fate remains on the table.

The worry of many Anglophone journalists, The Journal learned is that as at date, over 10 journalists have had their stay extended beyond their retirement mostly through a presidential decree and none of them is Anglophone.

Michel Njock Abanda, Charles Ndongo, Roger Betala, and Alain Belibi are some of those who have benefitted from the presidential largesse in the past couple of years.

Frankline Bayen Sone, Media researcher and publisher of a not-too-regular newspaper ‘Media People’ questions in a post on a Facebook group “Come and see Journalism in Cameroon’ what would become of the English language desk of CRTV when all top ranking Anglophone editorial members are quitting for retirement without any announced replacements.”

“With Ful Peter gone, Joe Chebonkeng is about the last man standing among the early 1960s Anglophone journalists in the top rungs of CRTV,” noted Bayen.

In the past five years, Ephraim Banda Ghogomu, Bernard Eko, Johnnie Macviban, Geoff Ngwa, Gemnda Buinda, George Fontamo… have all gone, he said.

“What shall CRTV become of in the next couple of years when others of this generation, like George Arrey Mohtarreyta, Fon Echekiye, Wain Paul Ngam, Rose Epie, David Chuye Bunyui, Enanga Kebi… take their retirement?’ Bayen questions rhetorically. “CRTV witnessed a freeze in recruitments or timid, sporadic recruitments for about a decade between the early 1990s and early 2000s and that gap may be felt in staff upgrading at this crucial stage,” he observed.

Tapang Ivo Tanku in another post on the same platform wonders why a new English-speaking Editor-in-chief in CRTV’s National Radio is yet to be appointed after Ful’s departure. He also observes that the position of an English desk Sports Chief in the National Radio has been left vacant for several months after ace journalist George Fon Tamo bowed out.

“What could be happening – lack of competence or weak advocacy among the English-speaking group at CRTV?’ he wonders.

The Journal’s numerous attempts to get the corporations Director General for a reaction has been unfruitful with his phone ringing constantly without any response. When Mr. Vamoulke finally picked our call last Wednesday, June 3, he said he was in Paris and could only talk to us upon his return to the country. Since his returned our latest attempts at getting across to him last weekend were again not fruitful.