Kebi Valery, an advocate for Democracy and Good Governance, has in strong terms denounced governments continuous attacks on the media landscape in Cameroon. The recent declaration of the torture and death of Samuel Wazizi has led to a nationwide condemnation from various figures and he adds his own voice to the queue.
He notes that a free press is very essential and above all necessary as it is a bedrock for a fair, transparent and democratic society.
“Nations cannot thrive without a free press that acts as oversight and holds officials accountable for institutional responsibilities”. According to Kebi Valery, the rise of populism around the world and the continuous distrust that now exist between governments and its citizens, the press is the only impartial intermediary there is to check the excesses of the governors and governed.
He equally notes “since the emergence of the new public management, the role of the private media as a component of the fourth estate has gradually shifted from ‘mere’ communication and information dissemination to a tool of governance.
As the role of the private media is becoming more essential in this new age of Bipolarity and complexity, so too is the role of the media practitioners and the journalists from relaying information, combating disinformation, reporting conflicts, setting the tone around the national discourse and upholding values” he opines the role of the private journalist have become even more crucial in protecting the interest of the public, shaping opinion and protecting civic space.
“When private journalists become victims of censorship and repression, democracy dies in darkness and people become mere subjects controlled by the narratives exclusively designed to attain the objectives of the elitist few” he notes.
Societies to Kebi must be able to recognize the growing diversity existing within them and accept the fact that there will always diverse opinions as part of it, therefore they have to learn, accept and live with it.
Mimi Mefo Info
