Don’t allow yourself to be used by politicians – NCC boss

By Nukapuh P.

Ahead of the senatorial election, the President of the National Communication Council, NCC, has called on journalists in the North West region to work according to the ethics of their profession and not allow themselves to be used by politicians.

Joseph Chebonkeng, President of the National Communication Council was in Bamenda Friday March 3, 2023 where he met with some practicing journalists to orientate them on some of their responsibilities and laws to govern them during the senatorial election.

The President of NCC warned that journalists are not supposed to do propaganda for political parties or candidates during campaigns.

“Journalists have power and this is the time that politicians want to sell their images and if you allow yourself to be used like toilet paper, they will throw you away when they’re are done with you,” Joseph Chebonkeng said.

Together with his team, they also provided a handbook, which will guide journalists during and after the election with information about the senatorial election.

The handbook carries sections like Article 91 of the law of 19 April 2012 on electoral code, which states that “at the instance of Elections Cameroon, Council authorities shall make available to every candidate or list of candidates space for the display of posters and other campaign materials”.

He cautioned that any other public posting relating to the elections apart from those on the authorized sites is prohibited.

The journalists were also advised to always report without bias, making sure they talk about activities of all parties.

This is coming at a time when there is a lot of misinformation on social media. There are also a lot of threats on journalists working in the crisis-hit regions either from separatist fighters or government soldiers.

Both the Cameroon People’s Democracy Movement, CPDM and the Social Democratic Front, SDF political parties who are contesting in the North West region have already launched their campaigns.

Campaigns are expected to end on the eve of the election, which is March 11. Meanwhile only municipal and regional councilors will vote on March 12 to decide the next 7 senators from the North West region.