Mass Media and Democratisation in Cameroon in the Early 1990sIn the on-going democratic debate, the Cameroonian media have not played the role of objective mediators. A one-party logic, of which government, opposition and the public are guilty, has prevented Cameroonian multipartyism from addressing the major issue: that of how best to bring about real participatory democracy. So far, democracy has served mainly as a face powder, an empty concept or slogan devoid of concrete meaning used to justify reactionary propaganda by the ruling party and its acolytes on the one hand, and revolutionary propaganda by the opposition and some pressure groups on the other. This polarisation in the Cameroonian political arena corresponds to a similar polarisation in the Cameroonian media. One can identify two main political tendencies in the media: first, there are those who argue that all the government does is good and in the best interest of Cameroon, and that the radical opposition is void of patriots and motivated only by selfish, regional, or ethnic self-interests. These comprise the publicly owned, government-controlled electronic and print media on the one hand, and pro-government 'privately' owned newspapers on the other. Second, there are those who claim that all the radical opposition does or stands for is in the best interest of Cameroon, and that the government and its allies are only motivated by a stubborn love of power and other selfish pursuits. These comprise the bulk of the privately owned papers. The media are polarised into two diametrically opposing camps, each claiming to know and represent the best interests of the Cameroonian people. |
Contents
1 | |
Chapter Two The Official Media | 11 |
Chapter Three The Legal Framework | 53 |
Chapter Four The Private Press | 109 |
Chapter Five General Conclusion | 177 |
187 | |
Back cover | 195 |
Other editions - View all
Common terms and phrases
1992 presidential elections According accused administrative Amougou Anglophone journalists April argues avril Bamenda Bamileke Beti broadcast Cameroon Calling Cameroon Post Cameroon Tribune Cameroonian Cameroonian journalists Camerounais Célestin Monga censor censorship Challenge Hebdo claim Communication in Cameroon contre CPDM critical private press CRTV CRTV and Cameroon CRTV journalists culture décembre decision democracy democratic process democratisation Dikalo Donfack Douala editor ethnic FCFA février Francophone Freedom of Mass Friedrich-Ebert Galaxie government’s interests interviewed janvier jeudi Jeune Afrique John Fru Ndi journaux juin Le Patriote Liberté mars mass media Mbida Messager Messagère MINAT Minister Mongo Beti multipartyism newspapers Nga Ndongo Ngniman North West Province Nouvelle Expression November Nyamnjoh October official media organisation Patriote Paul Biya Pius Njawe political politicised politique pouvoir President Biya printing pro-government professional programme publishers radical opposition radio role Rotoprint seized seizures September SOPECAM suspended Thursday tout vendors Wamey Yaounde