Private newspaper publishers in Cameron have rebuked government over its allocation of the sum of 56 million FCFA for media aid. The sum which they say dropped from 120 million in previous years, was disclosed as the National Commission for assistance to private media organs sat in Yaounde, headed by Communication Minister, Rene Emmanuel Sadi.
According to The Guardian Post newspapers, private media representatives at the meeting walked out in protest when the amount was cited, set to be shared to over 50 newspapers and online platforms.
“Even if they give us 1 billion, it will not be sufficient for 76 media organs. I lack words to express myself. I felt like crying when I heard the minister announcing the amount,” said Ngah Christian, Publisher of The Guardian Post daily newspaper.
The said sum, to him, “… is a big slap on the face of the private media in Cameroon. It will go down in history that today is a black day for the private media in Cameroon”.
He added that “for the state to dish out 56 million FCFA and announcing it in public is a big shame to Cameroon. With this amount, we will have newspaper publishers who will go home with less than 300,000 FCFA. I don’t know what that can do.”
The walk out was however called off later for the session to ensue. Minister Rene Emmanuel Sadi at the session urged members of the media aid commission to ensure they do their task of selection with diligence and tact.
The said sum it should be noted, was meant to be disbursed last year.
The late release of the funds devoted to the support of the state for the private press for 2022, as well as its drastic reduction he explained, are consequences of global crises faced the world over.
“I can assure you all that that I am willing relentlessly to pursue the plea made some time ago for a substantial increase before the establishment of a more prominent support mechanism to media of the private sector,” he promised.
76 private media organs applied for media aid this past year. Of this number, 70 are newspapers and six, online media platforms, revealed the Communications Minister.
It remains to be seen, the number of media organs that will benefit from the support.
Poise News Desk
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