Five Journalistic Values Under The Microscope

PRINCIPLE 1

Journalism’s first obligation is to the truth

Truth is not one of the first things that come to mind when one thinks of the Journalism practiced in the Cameroon. There is still a lot of distorted information and wrong representation of facts. When soldiers got into an accident on the Sabga hill the number given on the CRTV was much less than those of other media houses and what people saw with their own eyes on the streets. Thus the audiences assessment is a further assessment of a lie.

Then there is the case of LTM that does little or no editing to its images in the guise of truth telling or evidence.

PRINCIPLE 2

Its First loyalty is to citizens

Journalists provide information that can be considered as chaffs because of extreme gate keeping has been done due to fear and favour and Journalists are instead loyal to “Gombo” providers. This is the case with the CRTV which gives out more information than news because the newsy part of the story had been removed due to the media’s first loyalty to the powers that be.

On the other hand CRTV through some news stories portray the real situation of things. It also does this with the program “Press Hour “ “Canal Press” on canal 2,”Sept Hebdo” on STV “Droit de reponse on Equinoxe..These programs are platforms for journalists to air their minds on trending issues in all classes of society by giving facts and figures so the citizens can know the truth.

PRINCIPLE 3

Its essence is a discipline of verification.

Verification indeed set Journalism apart from propaganda and fiction. This calls for objectivity in the work of Journalist but most reports in a media house like CRTV will carry a Governor’s speech and a satisfied participant without someone with a different opinion.

There are existing media in Cameroon that carry out the practice objectively like “The Post” newspaper which presents both sides of the story and seems more credible therefore.

PRINCIPLE 4

Its practitioners must maintain independence from those they cover.

Independence is a farfetched phenomenon in Cameroon’s media landscape. Both public and private media are guilty of reporting what is favourable to the powers that be or risk being shut down. That is the case with “Foundation Radio” which according to the government did not abide with the unwritten “anti SCNC rule. They were not able to act freely.

Another way that can be seen as the government’s way of curbing independence is by not granting license to various media houses so they can always have something on them.

PRINCIPLE 5.

It must serve as an independent monitor of power.

This like the point above reinforces the idea of independence of a journalist, this time acting lie watch dogs. In Cameroon the tendency is for the watch dogs to see things but they are unable to say them because of fear or editorial policies like “Protect the government in power” and “Stay out of trouble”. Thus topics like the president’s term of office cannot be discussed.