Electorat panelists discuss impact of press freedom on democracy

Panelists of the radio political talk show programme “Electorat” on Magic FM expressed differing opinions on the contributions of the press in a democratic society.

As the International community commemorated World Press Freedom Day yesterday May 3, 2015, opinions are wagging on how free the press is in Cameroon and how it is contributing to the budding democracy.

This was the issue under discussion on the political talk show programme “Electorat”, on the Yaounde-based Magic FM last Saturday May 2, during which the panelists differed on so many issues.

Media’s Powerful Effects The media’s powerful effect came under focus as the panellists argued its role in democracy. While Daniel Mpond Arymis underlined that the press has to be free to report stories as they unfold, he acknowledged the powerful effect of the media stating that the media is a sensitive instrument that can threaten public order.

A political analyst Eric Achille Nko’o buttressed media’s powerful effect by stating that the media is a tool for politicians to convey their ideas to the society but regretted the inaccessibility to information by the press.

Frank Hubert Ateba supported the view that the media is the most powerful platform on which information can be expressed either orally or written.

This opinion was also confirmed by SDF’s Communication Officer for the Centre region, Emmanuel Mbenoun, who cited the press’s role in the Watergate scandal that involved President Nixon in the United States of America.

Media Responsibility Despite the freedom of the press and its role in the society, the media has to exercise responsibility. A journalist, Christian Lang noted that freedom of the press goes with responsibility because the media organs are largely responsible for whatever content is broadcast or publishes. He argued that the demand for responsibility in the media should not be misconstrued as a restriction to information.

To Daniel Mpond Arymis, the media is losing the value of its strength because journalists have allowed themselves to be manipulated. While Panaafricanist Frank Hubert of the Afrique Avenir NGO holds that journalists should do their job without intimidation, Lang argued that the good grains should be separated from the bad ones adding that the socio-political landscape in Cameroon gives room for quantitative and not qualitative press.

He further argued that the press is a victim of circumstances in Cameroon as it is always considered unfair when it exposes corrupt practices, homosexuality amongst other vices in the society.

Role of NCC In the course of the debate, the panelists examined the role of the National Communication Council (NCC) in the media landscape of the country.

While Frank Hubert Ateba sees the NCC as a surveillance and repressive organ, Emmanuel Mbenoun accused the NCC of censorship of the press.

Meanwhile, a trade unionist, Jean Collins Ndefossokeng argued that the structure created by government as a stitch in time was intended to put order in the profession that has been invaded by quackes. Journalists, he added, are misusing the freedom of the press in the country.

While also saluting the existence of the NCC, Eric Achille Nko’o regretted that the structure has gone above its powers.