Media: MINCOM Advocates Professionalism, Patriotism

Presentation of 2017 Best Wishes last Friday provided the platform for this fervent appeal

Journalism is not a field for adventurers; it is a noble profession that requires hard work, competence and professionalism, and press organs need to ensure that the integrity of the professional practice is guaranteed in the staff they employ. This is the substance of the speech given by the Minister of Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary, on the occasion of the ceremony organised at his ministry premises in Yaounde, last Friday, January 27, 2017, to present the best wishes for the New Year to the Minister.
Coming against the backdrop of heightened insecurity in the country, the Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North and the current socio-political upheavals in the English-speaking Regions of Cameroon, this year’s event gave Minister Tchiroma the opportunity to make a fervent appeal to all media practitioners in the country to rally behind government’s effort to consolidate national unity. In such trying times, the sovereignty, territorial integrity and socio-cultural diversity of our nation, as well as all other elements of our national identity must be jealously protected and preserved as the priceless jewels that they are. Pressmen, the statesman stressed, are at the fore-front of this noble fight, and it is their duty to show proof of professionalism whilst demonstrating love for the country, as they pursue their daily chores.
In addition to highlighting the need for a scrupulous respect of the ethics and deontological precepts of the profession, the Minister called on all media practitioners to guard against the gangrene of misinformation and be wary of giving out non-verified information, because some ill-intentioned persons can exploit such an occurrence to manipulate public opinion for disastrous outcomes to our collective interest and national well-being. Media practitioners must realise and recognise that this country is currently going through a period of instability, and their responsibility should be that of being an unshakeable pillar in the promotion of national harmony and in the protection of our people’s willingness to live together under one banner. Therefore, journalistic and all press-related duties must be carried out with a background of responsibility and a mindset of accountability by all who practice them.
Preceding the Minister at the rostrum was Emmanuel Ndjere, Secretary General at the Ministry of Communication. He presented a balance sheet of the 2016 activities for the sector, and spoke about the cases of recalcitrant media practitioners that are being looked into by the disciplinary commission.  All in all, the event took place in ...