After ‘losing’ fight against striking teachers, government attacks press

Government pictured to be on the losing side owing to a teachers’ strike in its fifth week which it has been unable to address has turned its salvo on the press.

Littoral governor, Samuel Ivaha Diboua yesterday warned Douala-based station Equinoxe TV, accusing it of being apologist to violence and popular uprising.

The official went on to cite what he says is a February 28 edition of flagship talk show, Droit de reponse claiming a member of the panel had asked parents and children to join the teachers’ strike.
Governor Ivaha Diboua went on to cite the 2016 uprising that led to the Anglophone crisis, accusing Equinoxe TV of taking a similar path.

Ironically, the governor ended his release by describing the freedom of the press as sacrosanct and protected by President Paul Biya.

Equinoxe TV fires back

Equinoxe TV known for its middle of the road stance that has often left government officials rattled, is not taking the challenge lying down.

Last night the station’s Director General, Severin Tchounkeu made a rare appearance to reply government’s claim.
He denied the claims made by the administrator, noting that it was done in bad faith. Equinoxe TV, he maintained, continues to function within laid down principles governing journalism.

The said document, he said, was signed by Territorial Administration Minister Paul Atangana Nji, known for his anti-non government media stance.

“The author of this letter is the Minister of Territorial Administration and Decentralisation, Paul Atanga Nji,” he stated categorically.

In addition to his investigations, Tchounkeu said, the letter itself going by choice of words and poor language, is clear prove that it was engineered by the said minister.

“The Governor only signed it. The strategy was well calculated, it is the Ministry that circulated it on the social media” he added.
This is not the first time government is trying to silence critical media voices in the country. In many instances, pressmen have been unlawfully arrested, detained, tortured and even killed with impunity. Rights groups continue to rank Cameroon among top persecuters of pressmen, owing to such rights violations.

Despite President Paul Biya ordering the disbursement of 2.7 billion FCFA among other measures, the teachers say more should be done including the immediate commencement of payment of what is owed them, and the automation of the advancement process.

Government however says it will be able to commence payment only in May. In addition to the existing impasse that has left thousands of school kids stranded weeks ahead of their examinations, government is now waging another war. This time, it is targeting the media for its coverage of the same teachers’strike it has been unable to resolve.