Ernest Obama: From Journalist to Propagandist? When Media Becomes a Weapon of Power

In Cameroon’s volatile media landscape, Ernest Dieudonné Obama Nana has again placed himself at the centre of controversy—this time for comments and conduct many describe as reckless, unethical, and dangerous. His recent publication of supposed election results before the official announcement has ignited debate about his ties to state power and revived dark memories of his hate-filled rhetoric against Anglophones, rhetoric many liken to speech that once fuelled genocidal violence in Rwanda.

Who Is Ernest Obama?

Born on April 24, 1980, in the Mefou-et-Afamba Division of Cameroon’s Centre Region, Ernest Obama studied philosophy before earning a master’s degree in journalism from ESSTIC. His early rise through private media—particularly Vision 4 TV, owned by Jean Pierre Amougou Belinga—was meteoric. At Vision 4, he hosted and produced high-profile shows such as Club d’Élite and Tour d’Horizon, often blurring the line between journalism and political theatre.

Obama’s relationship with regulatory bodies has been turbulent. The National Communication Council (NCC) has sanctioned him multiple times: first in 2017 for “statements inciting hatred towards Anglophones”, and again in 2025 for “inappropriate and irreverent remarks.” Yet despite these slaps on the wrist, Obama remains a favoured voice in pro-government media circles—raising the question of whether his controversial utterances are accidental or part of a broader state media strategy.

When Hate Speech Becomes State Narrative

Obama’s rhetoric against Cameroon’s Anglophone population has been described as chilling. In 2017, he infamously referred to Anglophones as “rats” who should be eliminated—language disturbingly similar to that used in Rwanda before the 1994 genocide. While other journalists have faced prison for far milder speech, Obama continues to enjoy airtime and protection, fuelling suspicions of state endorsement of hate speech.

In a 2018 broadcast, Obama dismissed Anglophone grievances as manipulations and called for a “state of emergency” in the two English-speaking regions, proposing curfews, house-to-house searches, and “raids” to root out so-called terrorists. Such positions echo the government’s militarised response to the Anglophone Crisis, a conflict that has claimed thousands of lives and displaced hundreds of thousands more.

Observers say his words do not merely reflect opinion—they embolden a narrative of dehumanisation and justification for violence against a marginalised group.

Publishing Election Results Before the Law Allows

On October 21, 2025, Obama posted alleged results of the presidential election on Facebook:

“La vérité de la commission nationale de recensement des votes.
– Paul Biya: 53.66%
– ITB: 35.19%
– Cabral: 3.41%
– Bello: 2.45%”

Such a post constitutes a serious legal violation under Cameroon’s electoral law, which reserves result publication exclusively for the Constitutional Council. Yet despite a stern warning from Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji that anyone publishing results prematurely would be arrested, Obama remains untouched. Meanwhile, youths in Garoua have been detained for peacefully demanding that their votes be respected.

This glaring double standard raises suspicions that Obama operates not as an independent journalist but as a state-sanctioned mouthpiece, serving to shape public perception and precondition acceptance of contested election outcomes.

Threats Against Opposition Voices

Obama’s rhetoric has not stopped at hate speech and electoral manipulation. On October 19, 2025, during a televised debate on Canal 2 International, he declared:

“On the 23rd of October, if Issa Tchiroma contests the results, he will be arrested. All those who will protest will be arrested, and all this will be legal.”

Such open threats—coming from a journalist—signal the erosion of press neutrality and the use of media as a tool to intimidate opposition. They also echo the authoritarian logic of a state that uses fear and propaganda to maintain control.

Is the State Behind Obama’s Utterances?

Multiple factors point to a possible coordination between Obama and state authorities:

• His programs consistently echo ruling-party talking points while attacking opposition and civil society.
• NCC sanctions against him are short-lived and symbolic, suggesting institutional protection.
• His arrest in 2020 for alleged embezzlement at Vision 4—followed by a rapid release—appeared more like an internal disciplinary act than genuine prosecution.
• His access to classified electoral data implies either insider privilege or deliberate orchestration.

Media Capture and the Death of Accountability

In a nation where the same ruling party has governed for over four decades, the press should act as a pillar of accountability. Instead, voices like Ernest Obama’s have turned journalism into an instrument of domination, blurring lines between reporting and propaganda.

When journalists incite hatred, predict arrests, and pre-empt legal election results, they cease to inform and begin to weaponise information. Such conduct not only undermines democracy but also poses grave risks of ethnic division and state-sponsored violence.

Call for Accountability

Civil society, opposition parties, and the international community must demand a transparent investigation into:

• The source of Obama’s “election figures”,
• The government’s apparent tolerance of hate speech, and
• The role of pro-regime media in manipulating public opinion.

If Cameroon’s media is to retain even a shred of credibility, it must draw a line between journalism and propaganda—and hold accountable those who cross it.

MMI News