NCC boss leaves Equinox TV headquarters in anger following failed consensus

The president of the National Communication Council, Joseph Chebonkeng, departed the premises of Equinox TV, a Douala-based channel, on September 3 after failing to reach an agreement.

Received in complete black attire by staffers of Equinox and La Nouvelle Expression (affiliate print publication), the editor-in-chief, Serge Alain Ottou, made it clear to the NCC delegation that they felt cheated and threatened.

They considered the sanctions on the media institution a means to kill it and a threat to press freedom in Cameroon.

Speaking on behalf of the CEO, Serge Alain Ottou recounted how officials in the newsroom, including former editor-in-chief Cederick Noufele, had been sanctioned while some flagship primetime programs like Droit des Response and 237 le Debat had been suspended.

Joseph Chebonkeng in a brief response observed what he termed, “unwelcoming, disrespectful, and unprofessional” accorded the NCC delegation by the media professionals. They were left for over 40 minutes unattended to, in vehicles at the Equinox head office. Though he said they arrived an hour earlier than scheduled.

Equinox Prime Time News of Tuesday, September 3 stated that the NCC boss left the premises “unceremoniously” upon these remarks.