The Commission is "illegitimate and unacceptable" – SNJC

The Cameroon National Union of journalists (SNJC) met with the press to give its position concerning the commission for the issuance of the press card headed by Severin Tchounkeu.

In a statement issued after his meeting with the press, SNJC shared the concern of media men who requested that the area be cleaned up but the Union were of the view that the issuance of the press card commission is "illegitimate and unacceptable".

Trade unionists noted that they are rather "bodies of regulation and remediation of the press which are the National Communication Council and the Commission for the issuance of the press card" which is necessary to regulate the communication sector in Cameroon.

"Control and sanitation should only be made in peer organizations made up of joint elected representatives of unions in the sector of the press. This means that the Prime Ministerial Decree n ° 2002/2170 9 December 2002, establishing the Commission for the issuance of the press card and the Presidential Decree n ° 2012/038 of 23 January 2012, on the reorganization of CNC which is now a regulatory and consultation body with legal personality and financial autonomy placed at the Prime Minister, head of Government, are in many respects in violation of the rules governing the its missions," defended Denis Nkwebo in his statement.

The Committee on the issuance of press card set up on July 6, has a mission which aims to "exclude those who, at one time or the other pose acts or appear contrary to such merit behaviour," according to the Minister of communications.

As for Severin Tchounkeu who was appointed to head the commission against all odds, the SJNC has asked the latter to “take the wise decision to resign from this post to ask for a recomposition that respects ethical and ethical standards.