NCC meets on media malpractices

The National Communication Council (NCC) met for its 9th Ordinary Session in Yaounde, during which it ruled on a number of pending issues relating to their code of ethics.

A number of decisions were taken indicating that the council is in to deal with recalcitrant members.

Amongst the decisions taken, “Depeche du Cameroun”, one of the many publications in Cameroon has been banned for an indefinite period of time.

“La Nouvelle”, “Canard” and “Le Devoir” and other publications were brought before the session for different violations and were given a six-month suspension each.

“Le Courrier” and “Le Soir” were both slammed a one-month suspension. The Director of Publication of “Le Courrier”, Symphorien Olivier Mbelle Mbelle was also given a one-month suspension.

Not only news publications were suspended; presenter, Martinez Zogo of an FM radio programme “Embouteillage” was also suspended for one month.

The decision published this 25th February 2015 saw the National Communication Council dismissing complaints by some government dignitaries on the grounds that the information published by the press organs could be verified.

Such was the case of the complaints filed by the Minister in charge of Special Duties at the Presidency of the Republic, Paul Atanga Nji and the Minister of the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi.

Minister Paul Atanga Nji filed a case against four press organs; “L’Oeil du Sahel”, “The Guardian Post”, “Le Jour” and “The Post” for publishing defamatory articles.

The Minister the Economy, Planning and Regional Development, Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi on his part, had laid complaints against “Integration” newspaper and a radio station, “Amplitude FM” for the same reason.

After examining the facts of the case, the NCC dropped the charges against the above news organs.

In the meantime, the NCC is still to rule on the case pitting “Reperes” newspaper and the Minister of Mines, Industries and Technological Development.