Stifling of the press: Minat boss calls on governors to monitor activities of media, NGOs, political parties
By Vera Fon
The Minister of Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji, has called on Regional Governors to closely monitor the activities of media organs, Non-Governmental organizations, and political parties operating in Cameroon.
He made the call while opening the first bi-annual conference of Regional Governors which took place in Yaounde on July 17, 2023.
Minister Atanga Nji insisted on the need to rally citizens in the direction of promoting peace, living together, and fighting against hate speech and tribalism.
“Henceforth, administrative authorities will have to monitor some private media organs who organize a one-sided debate, intended to discredit government action, divide Cameroonians and break down social cohesion, promoting tribalism and hate speech,” he said.
Atanga Nji went further to send a strong message of warning to the media stating that; “Any Media practitioners who indulge in this dangerous and anti-republican activities must always bear in mind that man is the master of what he intends to say whereas man will always remain a slave to what has already been said. In simple terms, media practitioners must think twice before publishing or making public pronouncements,”.
“ Distinguish governors, I, therefore, urge you to make the best of this working session so as to continue to work towards the development of your administrative units as well as maintain public order, fight against all forms of organized crime, and closely monitor activities of political parties, associations, and NGOs,”. He continued.
Besides the 10 governors of the nation who attended the meeting, the Delegate General for National Security, Martin Mbarga Nguelle, and the secretary of State in the Ministry of Defense in charge of National Gendarmerie, Yves Galax Etouga.
There is already an organ that monitors the media-the National Communication Council. The outing of the Territorial Administration Minister shows that the government is active in stifling the press in Cameroon.
