Cleanse media more, PM tells communication council

Prime Minister Philemon Yang has asked the National Communication Council to sanitise the media landscape more despite the commendable work it has so far recorded.

Yang made this appeal while installing the newly appointed Communication Council President, Peter Essoka and his Vice, Joseph Janvier Rene Mvoto Obounou.

The Prime Minister outlined the duties of the Council to include the provision of advice on the attribution of frequencies and licenses to media houses and also sanctions to media houses and journalists, for six months or definite proscription of activities.

Recognizing the powers government has bestowed on the Council and efforts of the Council to sanitise the media environment, Yang stated thatCameroonians aspire to benefit from press freedom which should not be translated to become a license for disorder.

He renewed confidence in the respective experiences of Essoka and Mvoto Obounou in social communication, assuring that government would do everything possible to accompany the Council.

Yang urged the Council members to cultivate the spirit of teamwork.

Essoka, for his part, said in line with the decree of 2012, the Council would endeavour to establish order in the media with regards to the respect of ethics and moral obligation.

“We shall encourage dialogue with media men and women to work in synergy to better their situation and bring back integrity to the media in general,” said Essoka.

He added that efforts are being made to lift certain restrictions in terms of access to information to the private media as the Council has opened negotiations with different authorities, hoping that as time goes by things may get better.

Quoting the Prime Minister who said, “You have been good, but need to get better”, Essoka stressed that it means taking the bull by the horns, to better the situation of media men and women so as to avoid the disorder that prevails.

He said the Council would endeavour to collaborate with international institutions to facilitate training for Journalists.