Media Regulation: NCC Sanctions Media Organs, Journalist

 Below is a Communique issued by the National Communication Council

«The President of the National Communication Council informs media professionals and public opinion that on 6 April 2017, this institution held its 17th Ordinary Session, pursuant to the provisions of Decree N° 2012/038 of 23 January 2012 reorganizing the NCC.
The agenda of this session focused mainly on devising a strategy to optimize the NCC complaints handling process and the review of seven cases. After the review, the following decisions were taken:
1- With regard to the case of Mr. David Embe, Senior Divisional Officer for Mefou and Akono against the newspaper, “L’Epervier Plus” and its Acting Publisher:
The Senior Divisional Officer for Mefou and Akono lodged a complaint with the Council accusing the aforementioned newspaper of sullying his reputation following the publication of unfounded claims that he embezzled indemnities meant for the people of Binguela.
Having established the responsibility of the newspaper in question, the Council suspended for a period of six (6) months the print media organ “L’Epervier Plus” and its acting Publisher, Mrs. Tamouhya N. Gladys, from practicing journalism in Cameroon for publishing unfounded, offensive and suggestive claims in its 50th issue in violation of ethics and the professional code of mass communication practice in Cameroon against Mr. David Embe, Senior Divisional Officer for Mefou and Akono.
2- With regard to the case of Angwafo III Fru Fobuzshi, Director General of the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital against the newspaper, “L’Epervier Plus” :
The petitioner lodged a complaint with the Council accusing the aforementioned newspaper of publishing unfounded claims relating to the theft or exchange of newborns at the aforementioned hospital likely to sully the image of the health facility he heads.
Having established the responsibility of the newspaper in question, the Council suspended for a period of six (6) months Mr. Enyegue Minlo, journalist at “L’Epervier Plus” newspaper and author of the incriminated article from practicing journalism in Cameroon, for publishing unfounded, offensive and prejudicial claims in its 48th issue in violation of ethics and the professional code of mass communication practice in Cameroon against the Yaounde Gynaeco-Obstetric and Pediatric Hospital.
3- With regard to the case of professional footballer Mr. Samuel Eto’o Fils against the newsparer, “La Nation d’Afrique”:
The petitioner, through his lawyer, lodged a complaint with the Council accusing the aforementioned newspaper of sullying his image by publishing unfounded claims that while in Gabon for the last edition of the finals of the Africa Cup of Nations, he was involved in indecent activities and in conflict with the country’s public officials.
Having established the responsibility of the newspaper of “La Nation d’Afrique”, newspaper, the Council respectively suspended for a period of three (3) months the print media organ in question, Mr. Charles Maël Bingambo, journalist at the aforementioned Newspaper and author of the incriminated article, and Mr. Sabouang Yen Serge, Publisher of “La Nation d’Afrique”, from publishing and practicing journalism in Cameroon, for publishing unfounded and offensive claims in its 268th issue in violation of ethics and the professional code of mass communication practice in Cameroon against professional footballer, Mr. Samuel Eto’o Fils.
4- With regard to the case of Chief Warrant Officer Iyong Yanze Irène Flore, interim Commander of the Ahala gendarmerie post against “Kiss FM” radio:
The petitioner lodged a complaint accusing the aforementioned radio station of sullying her reputation with recurrent broadcasts of unfounded and derogatory claims during a programme called “Arbre à palabre”, relating to alleged corrupt practices at the gendarmerie post she heads.
Having established the responsibility of the host of “Arbre à palabre”, the Council separately suspended for a period of one (1) month the programme in question broadcast on “KISS FM” and its host, Mr. Engelbert Mfomo, form practicing journalism in Cameroon, for broadcasting  unfounded and offensive claims in violation of ethics and the professional code of mass communication practice in Cameroon against Chief Warrant Officer Iyong Yanze Irène Flore, interim Commander of the Ahala gendarmerie post.
5 – With regard to the case of Mr. Alain-Richard Chedjou Takam against the newspaper “La Nouvelle”:
The petitioner lodged a complaint with the Council accusing the aforementioned newspaper of tainting his integr...