Afrique Media sealed in Yaoundé but operational in Douala

The Afrique Media in Douala is still operational while seals have been placed on the premises of the channel in Yaoundé.

When La Nouvelle Expression visited the Ndogbong district in Douala, precisely at an area known as Citadel, it was difficult to identify the headquarters of Afrique Media among the many rather calm houses of this neighbourhood on Saturday, August 8, 2015.

Even some neighbors were ignorant of the fact that the centre of diffusion of the Pan African channel was just around the corner.

"I have no idea", admitted a young man to the Nouvelle Expression reporter. However, contact with another passer-by provided clarification.

At the indicated place, a security guard confirmed the location of the media house. "It is here, but give me your identity card let me inform the head," he noted. He later returned with a man almost in his forties, who quickly made clarifications.

“We have no problem, as you can see, there are no seals here and we continue with our productions,” he explained, just that, "there are no journalist here today. We have no production on Saturday. Come back tomorrow or even go to the branch in Akwa,” he said in a courteous manner before taking leave of the reporter.

The general manager, reached via telephone by La Nouvelle Expression did not reflect any sign of concern. "If they want to disturb me, I will close down Afrique Media in Cameroon and I will continue to diffuse in other countries such as Equatorial Guinea and Chad," said Justin Tagouh, boss of the said media; a decision which will definitely leave several Cameroonians unemployed if it I realized.

As a reminder, the channel was suspended on June 4, 2015 for a period of one month by the National Communication Council (NCC) for violation of ethical and professional rules. Two programs were the reason for this decision; ‘Le débat Panafricain’ and ‘Le mérite panafricain’.

According to the NCC, "some guests uttered unsubstantiated accusations which might impair the image and honor of personalities, institutions and foreign countries. Ladan Mohamed Bachir and Juliane Magne Tadda, presenters of the two programs were similarly suspended for a period of six months each for "lack of supervision of guests”.

It should be noted that despite the release of the Union of Journalists of Cameroon which strongly denounced the decision during a press conference, on June 11, 2015, these maneuvers by the NCC, the media regulatory body, held tight to its decision.