2020 World Press freedom Day in Cameroon Declared "Blank

2020 World Press freedom Day in Cameroon declared "Blank".

This is by Media men and women in Cameroon who unanimously came to that decision in a Press confab that took place in Yaounde on the 28th of April 2020.

Here, Media men and women, Directors of Publication and owners of media houses resolved to give this year's World Press freedom day in cameroon a "blank check" to express their anger and annoyance with the Biya's regime and Government for down playing seriously on a series of rights and favor reserved to the Press most especially at this crushal point in time where the World is bringing all forces on deck to fight Corona virus.

According to all media practioners present, the 27th edition of World press freedom should be used to send a strong signal to the government and cause her to come to terms and reason with the Press.

First a signal in the direction of the respect of the rights and freedom of Journalists in Cameroon. Her rights to income, allowances and remuneration, rights to the payment of her accrued bills in the state treasury, rights to state subventions, rights to insertions and publicity etc.

What has made things worst and calls for action from the Media family in cameroon is the bad fate manifested by Government towards subsidizing media actions towards media campaigns in the fight against COVID-19. According to these practioners their rights were been toiled with by Government, who were and have been doing nothing in the interest of the press or to appreciate or recognize their ceaseless efforts in the campaign or fight against COVID-19.

Hear them, "this year's world press freedom day in Cameroon celeberated under the theme, the press without fear or favor, will go "solo". As we Battle with the COVID 19 virus it is also time for us to use the opportunity to send a strong signal to government officials who have always and have deliberately taken us for granted. It is unfortunate that for all the work the press has been doing Government has never extended a hand of appreciation. The press as a single body this year has decided that all her due respect must be given". 

On the bases of the above premise, the Media world in Cameroon have decided to mourn with victims of the COVID-19 virus and to cause Government to see and appreciate the great works of the Press in the direction of educating and sensitizing the population against Corona virus.