By Etienne Mainimo Mengnjo
The Cameroon National Communication Council (NCC) has issued sanctions against several media outlets and journalists for ethical breaches.
The decisions were announced on November 20, 2024, following the 44th ordinary session of the NCC, chaired by Joseph Chebongkeng Kalabubsu, President of NCC. The session was held in accordance with Decree No. 2012/038 of January 23, 2012, which reorganizes the NCC.
While some cases resulted in warnings, others were suspended, adjourned, or dismissed. The case involving Fuh Calistus, Acting Minister of Mines, Industries, and Technological Development (MINMIDT), and the publisher and journalist of the newspaper “Repères” was one among the cases examined.
The Council found the media organ responsible for publishing unfounded and insinuating accusations against the Minister. As a result, the publisher received a warning, and Christelle Belibi, journalist was suspended from practicing journalism for one month.
Another case involved Gaston Komba and the print media outlets L’Expression and Perspectives D’Afrique. The complainant filled a petition to the council in the wake of the publishing of allegedly unfounded statements made by the above organs. He was accused of tarnishing the image of the President of the Republic as part of his actions as President of the Nkam-CPDM section in the Northwest Region.
Upon examining the case, the NCC suspended the publishers of L’Expression and Perspectives D’Afrique for one month each, due to their refusal to comply with the NCC’s summons, despite being served by a bailiff.
The case involving Cyprus Ngo’o, General Manager of the Autonomous Port of Douala (PAD), along with the publisher of Premiere Heure and journalist Alain Moukouta, was adjourned. The NCC acknowledged the offenders’ written request for an adjournment and will examined the case during the next session.
The complaint was filed following publications on August 28, 2024, and November 5, 2024, that made allegedly unfounded and damaging accusations regarding financial malpractice and scandals in Ngo’o’s management of PAD.
Another brough before the council was the case of Father Nkouly Nkouly Gregoire Benoit, Parish Priest of St. Kisito’s parish in Mvog Mbi, against the General Manager of Satellite FM radio and journalist Manga Cedric was dismissed.
The NCC found that the offending statements were not broadcast on Satellite FM or its digital platforms but were instead posted exclusively on Cedric Manga’s personal Facebook page. As a result, the NCC determined it lacked jurisdiction over the matter and dismissed the case.
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