Only three Cameroon TV stations dared to tackle the controversial subject of Paul Atanga Nji ‘s recent decision to ban media discussions on President Paul Biya’s health on their flagship debate programmes last Sunday, October 13, 2024. Canal 2 International, LTM TV, and Info TV included the topic in their programmes, while major channels like Équinoxe TV and Vision 4 avoided it.
Paul Atanga Nji’s decision, made on October 9, 2024, prohibits any media debate regarding the President’s health, in response to persistent rumors circulating on social media. The decision was discussed in-depth on Canal 2’s CANAL PRESSE, LTM’s L’AGORA, and Info TV’s LIBRE EXPRESSION, where various panelists debated the implications of the ban on freedom of speech.
One of the first channels to address the issue was Canal 2 International, one of Cameroon’s leading private television stations. On its popular debate show, CANAL PRESSE, aired on October 13, host Bouba Ngomena tackled the topic head-on. The show’s panel debated whether the Minister of Territorial Administration was overreaching his mandate and if the ban was an infringement on freedom of expression.
“Paul Atanga Nji has completely gone beyond his powers,” asserted Marion Obam, President of the Cameroon Journalists Trade Union (CJTU) during the broadcast. “It is not written anywhere that the media in Cameroon depend on the territorial administration. What he did is an attack on freedom of opinion and freedom of the press. Journalists are not employees of the Ministry of Territorial Administration.”
Her concerns were echoed by various members of the press who expressed concerns over the growing involvement of the government in regulating the media space.
LTM TV, another private channel, also took up the challenge. In their Sunday debate program L’AGORA, hosted by Elji Rim, the decision by Atanga Nji was scrutinized in the broader context of freedom of expression in Cameroon media and the country in general.
One of the guests, Barrister Emmanuel Ashu, a prominent human rights lawyer, weighed in on the issue, stating that:
“This press release from Paul Atanga Nji gives the impression to the whole world that Cameroon is a dictatorship. It gives the impression that in Cameroon, there is no freedom of expression. The health of the president should not be a public debate unless it hinders his ability to govern. But preventing any discussion around it is excessive.”
The LTM panel also explored the potential long-term consequences of the ban, with fears that it could set a precedent for further censorship of sensitive political issues.
Info TV, based in Yaoundé, also took a bold stance. Their flagship program LIBRE EXPRESSION, hosted by Parfait Ayissi, went beyond the surface by questioning the constitutionality of the ban.
Politician Abel Elimbi Lobè, a guest on the show, pointed to Article 2, paragraph 2 of the Constitution, which states that the authority to govern emanates from the people.
“The Constitution is clear: the authorities in power derive their legitimacy from the people. So how can the people be denied the right to discuss matters concerning their leaders? It is not only unconstitutional but fundamentally undemocratic,” he said.
Mathias Éric Owona Nguini, another guest, offered a counterargument, stating that:
“The role of the Minister of Territorial Administration is to ensure public order. If discussions on a sensitive issue like the president’s health could disrupt that, then the minister is justified in taking regulatory measures. However, there must be a clear legal framework for such decisions, and that’s where the ambiguity lies.”
While Canal 2 International, LTM TV, and Info TV dared to address the issue, several prominent channels avoided the subject entirely. Notable absentees on the subject were Équinoxe TV’s DROIT DE REPONSE, Vision 4’s ELITE CLUB, and My Media Prime’s VITRINE 237 opted to discuss other topics, including Cameroon’s national football team, road accidents, and the opposition’s preparation for the 2025 presidential election.
The decision by these channels not to address the ban has raised questions about media independence and the extent to which outlets feel pressure from the government. As one journalist, speaking on the condition of anonymity, noted:
“Many of us are concerned that tackling this issue head-on could lead to repercussions. The government holds significant influence over broadcasting licenses, and no one wants to risk losing their platform.”
The diverging approaches to the ban highlight the ongoing tensions within Cameroon’s media landscape. On one hand, private channels like Canal 2, LTM, and Info TV have taken a stand, using their platforms to question the legality and legitimacy of the minister’s directive. On the other hand, some of the country’s most-watched stations have remained silent, either by choice or as a result of external pressures.
At the heart of the debate is the broader issue of press freedom in Cameroon. The ban on discussing President Biya’s health is not an isolated incident but part of a growing trend where the government has tightened its control over public discourse. As the 2025 presidential election approaches, concerns over media censorship and government intervention are likely to intensify.
Several media experts have weighed in on the implications of this latest controversy for Cameroon’s press freedom.
Jean-Baptiste Amougou, a media consultant, believes that the current situation is reflective of a larger problem:
“Cameroon’s media has always walked a fine line between informing the public and avoiding the wrath of the authorities. This latest incident shows that we are still far from achieving true media independence.”
Meanwhile, political analyst Dr. Suzanne Ngounou sees this as a turning point for journalists in the country:
“Journalists in Cameroon are now faced with a difficult choice: either conform to the government’s restrictions or push back and risk sanctions. The outcome of this debate will determine the future of media freedom in the country.”
As the 2025 presidential election draws near, the role of the media will be critical in shaping public opinion and holding those in power accountable.
Culled from Mimi Mefo Info
