Media ownership and control in Cameroon: Constraints on media freedom

By Francis B. Nyamnjoh

The government of Cameroon shows that it is more interested in containing the media politically than in providing its proprietors and practitioners the enabling economic environment they need for professional excellence and financial independence. This has brought about the underdevelopment of the press by imposing on it a series of constraints. No one who knows what a newspaper looks like (in content and form) in Nigeria, Kenya, or South Africa, would take seriously what in Cameroon passes for newspapers.

Of course, some of the constraints to a vibrant, professional and financially viable press in Cameroon are obviously internal to the press itself. However, even these so-called internal constraints can be explained by the overt political control and administrative determination to stifle all forms of creative and liberating difference from the status quo, that a free press of any kind might seek to encourage. This necessarily means privileging ignorance over knowledge, and encouraging media practitioners who know little or care little about professionalism.

Thus, the first and main threat to free-flow of information is still largely from wielders of political power, efforts at economic liberalisation notwithstanding (Konings, 1996). Control by big business or financial magnates is perhaps a future danger, as overt political interference has made it too risky for the business world to contemplate any meaningful partnership with or investment in the press, the critical private press in particular. During the monolithic era, the sole political pace-setter was the government. Today, there is the added danger of power elites other than the governing, manipulating the press in similar ways if not worse.

Often, journalists I have interviewed tend to think, quite mistakenly, that the only real threat to their freedom and independence comes from government. This is quite understandable, given that the government is directly responsible for repressive laws and their day to day application, and given that the government has consistently worked to keep the press divided through sponsoring the creation of pro-government private papers or thwarting attempts to create strong unions of media practitioners (Guiffo, 1993; Nyamnjoh, 1996a; Nyamnjoh et al., 1996). This notwithstanding, it is important for Cameroonian journalists to bear in mind that threats to their independence could also come from big business, such as experienced in the West and more and more so in other parts of Africa. They ought also to note that an equally dangerous threat could arise from unwittingly playing into the hands of the power elite in the opposition, as even they would agree has happened during the current democratic process.

Cameroonians (and the press, increasingly), have come to know from the current struggle for a more democratic dispensation, that to oppose does not necessarily imply to aspire for, or to promote, democracy or collective interests. Media practitioners today can all name, together with the critical public, persons who have, at one time or another in the last eight years, hidden under the nebulous cloak of democracy and concern for the public good, to catapult themselves into positions where they have excelled in nothing but dictatorial excesses, or simply championed what Jean-François Bayart (1993) has termed 'politics of the belly'. Thus the press is just as liable to be corrupted or constrained by external financial interests and by the opposition as it is by the government.

Click here to read the entire article.

Comments

[Divine Fuh]

You have been a source of inspiration to me and I hope that through this website the marvels of your intellectualism will be consumed and re-consumed, and also give those who find difficulties accessing your genuis the opportunity to do so. I can only ask you to keep up keeping up. You are the beacon.

[Ms Enongene Crawford]

At long last! We thank Pr. Nyamnjoh for finally creating this long awaited forum. I must confess he has always been my intellectual idol especially that most of his works are in my field of interest (media studies). I invite young African scholars to exploit this website and why not go for the books, which will without doubts satisfy their quest for knowledge. Personally, I have had the opportunity to read a lot of his works and can assure you that in “Nyamnjoh’s fingers, the pen runs and laughs”. I have never missed the opportunity to quote him in most of my works. Without any exaggeration, I must say his works are very critical, sound, fluent and balanced. The works so well mirror our society.

[wilson Ugangu]

Prof.Nyamnjoh's works in my view cast African scholarship a notch higher than the ussual. Very often, we are always looking to the west and western scholars to set the pace so we can follow. Nyamnjoh, however concretely shows that things can be different. Africa can also lead. I guess this is the good example that we all need to emulate...
Wilson Ugangu, ACCE Nairobi, Kenya

[ntoko elvis]

Dear Sir, greetings to you and your entire househol.Sir I have a problem that need your kind attention.Iam doing a project title,The role and development of private radio stations in cameroon,case study lake side radio,kumbe south west province,Cameroon.Dear Sir I need your guide to help me get started.Iam counting on wonderful wisdom and knowledge.I remain your humble student,
Ntoko Elvis
NB,Your way and manner of writng and the presentation of your materials educates a lot,please keep on with the burning flame.

[Lydienne Bosadi]

Dear Sir,
This is one amongst the rare cases of an African Hero. Thank you so very much for sharing some light on Cameroon media system. The focus has always been on the East and West. Non Westerners are always left out when it comes to defining the models. We trust in you for your liberal thought sharing. Once more am very grateful for this. There are millions of your fans out here. Keep it up Sir.

[NJI Blasius Charles]

How I wish there were two like you from Bamenda in Cameroon, and Africa, Cameoon should have long changed.

Keep the flame.

[nkwellesone]

it is my pleasure to say people like you are rare in Cameroon.i believe that since there is media freedom in Cameroon people have to embranc such ideas like yours.may God add more grace to you elbow by NKWELLESONE 5 may,2014