Media regulator, publishers call for sanity in press

Newspaper publishers in Cameroon and the National Communication Council (NCC) - the country’s media regulator - met recently in Yaounde to sow the seeds of a partnership that aims at cleansing media and giving them financial clout.

At the initiative of the regulator, a concertation meeting was held recently at the NCC headquarters in Yaounde between the said Council and a delegation of the Bureau of the Federation of Newspaper Editors (FEDIPRESS).

Social responsibility of the press and economic regulation of the communication sector were the two important issues examined during the meeting presided over by Peter Essoka, Vice President of the National Communication Council.

Regarding Social responsibility of the press, the meeting recommended the revision of the legal status in view of consecrating texts applicable to the evolution of the sector, increasing the holding of seminars to reinforce the capacity of media professionals in collaboration with training institution and adoption of a constant and systematic treatment of recurrent violations in the media.

Concerning economic regulation of the communication sector, it was recommended that public authorities be notified on the revalorization of the financial support the State gives to the private press and the equitable distribution of the support.

The parties also resolved to enjoin public authorities to carry out a better distribution of newspapers and guarantee access to information by all Cameroonians as well as engaging contacts with competent public authorities for an equitable distribution of publicity.

Finally both the National Communication Council and the delegation of the Bureau of the Federation of Newspaper Editors agreed to organize quarterly meetings between the NCC and FEDIPRESSE for continued efficient collaboration.