A popular media personality, Chuo Walter, who is also a political analyst of Canal 2 International’s weekly debate program Canal Presse, and Jean Bruno Tangne of NAJA TV are amongst a host of media personalities summoned at the State Secretariat for Defence this week.
Chuo Walters was expected at SED on Monday, May 22, 2023, at about 4 pm for what was speculated to be an intensive interrogation. He has however failed to show up for questioning. Authorities have not commented on the case so far.
Sources close to Chuo Walter say they do not know the reason for his summons. There are speculations it may be related to his critical political stands in the press recently. Requests for comment from him have also been futile so far.
Chuo Walter has always been very critical of the government’s handling of the Anglophone crisis especially in recent weeks.
Jean Bruno Tangne, General Director of NAJA TV, and Boney Philippe of Vision 4 TV are equally 2 journalists who have received separate summons from the State Secretariat for Defence as well.
Bruno Tangne we learn, was called to answer to accusations of defamation and distortion of facts. Audio clips relating to the assassination of journalists Jean Jacques Ola Bébé edited by him, allegedly implicated some persons in high offices.
The clips also suggested the implications of two other journalists: Paul Daisy Biya and Serge Afric, in the crimes. According to whistle-blower Boris Bertolt, these audio clips had been authenticated by Jean Jacques Ola Bébé’s wife.
For now, there have been no updates on the outcome of this summon by the State Secretariat for Defence. The journalist did not show up on the day set for interrogation, which has now been adjourned for another time.
As for Boney Philippe, he has been summoned to answer several counts of defamatory remarks aired on the weekly program he anchors, Club d’Elites, on Vision 4 TV.
This massive wave of clampdown on media personalities coincides with Minister Atanga Nji Paul’s pledge to combat hate speech and xenophobia. The evidence on the ground leaves many to fear that the first target of this repression may be the press.
By M.K
© Mimi Mefo Info