By Bakah Derick
Blogger@hilltopvoices
Special Coverage of the SDF at 25
Blogger@hilltopvoices
Special Coverage of the SDF at 25
It has been said over and over that "Press
Freedom" in Cameroon is one of the achievements of the Social Democratic
Front, SDF. Surely because the media laws of 1990 saw the light of day same
year with the SDF and with the chairman being very blunt when he talk about the
need for press freedom during his famous May 26, 1990 launching speech. He said
"democracy is about people because we believe that with the
non-observance of the fundamental freedoms, namely the freedom of conscience
and religion, freedom of thought, belief, opinion, and expression, including
the freedom of the press and other media of communication, freedom of peaceful
assembly and the freedom of association, the people cannot be expected to enjoy
their basic rights which are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness as
human beings."
The rapid growth of the private media since then implies that whether by faith or chance the SDF can take away a fair share of the praise for press freedom in Cameroon. As to whether the party has accompanied the press in this freedom is another issue on its own.
Talking and listening to journalist during one of the events to mark the 25th Anniversary of the party "the book launch" in Bamenda, one could go away with the impression that either the SDF regrets this move to support press freedom in Cameroon or that press freedom according to the SDF means supporting the party.
Journalists and reporters told hilltopvoices how questions on the running of the party particularly on issues of finances have angered the chairman during interviews. It is common to hear the chairman giving "journalism lessons" on investigative journalism to newspaper publishers who carry articles that do not represent the "interest" or position of the party. The Chairman and the SDF have on more than one occasion asked militants not to buy or collaborate with some newspapers. These newspapers have been taken to the National Communication Council by the party with the intention they be closed or banned.
With the knowledge that it is the same state owned media CRTV (CTV at the time) and Cameroon Tribune that distorted information relating to the launching of the SDF in 1990 particularly on those killed after the launch, one will wonder aloud why the party now suddenly prefers these media organs to the ones that gave them the much needed support during the smoldering years of the democratisation process in Cameroon.
With close to 40 private media organs at the book launch of the SDF, hilltopvoices spoke to about 17 (not up to half though) and none accepted to have received a press kid or invitation from the party on its Anniversary. Amongst the ones we spoke to getting a badge as the press was not easy. Hilltopvoices agrees because we made contacts on phone, went to the SDF Secretariat in Bamenda then the home of the National Chairman yet could not get accreditation. However we finally like others wrote our name in one exercise book at the entrance into the book launch hall after which we received a "badge".
The divorce between the SDF and the Private media in Cameroon and the romance with the state media is becoming worrying.
I rest my case.