Christopher Jator Njechu
21 April 2008
Communication Minister, Jean Pierre Biyiti bi Essam, has forewarned officials of the British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, Afrique to avoid reporting incidents that might destabilise the peace in Cameroon.
The Minister mad the cautionary statement at a news conference in Yaounde, April 17, ahead of celebrations to launch BBC's new FM station in Garoua. He added that the country is still recovering from the social unrest and civil disobedience of last February and thus exhorted BBC staff in Cameroon to stay within a 'model' editorial line that depicts the reality on the ground as well as collect views from both sides.
On their part, the BBC staff pledged to stay within the margins of professionalism, unbiased and not to mince truth with any form of compromise. Biyiti was made to understand that certain realities must be reported the way they are and anything different from this might only raise the curiosity of the man on the street.
Meanwhile, the launching of the Garoua BBC station (FM 94.4) culminated in a special day of programming called Cameroon Day on April 18, during which the new FM station broadcast BBC programming in Hausa, English and French and to the city of Garoua and the surrounding areas.
BBC's Controller of Business Development, Ruxandra Obreja, said: "The new BBC 94.4 FM is the fourth BBC FM relay in Cameroon. It is wonderful that we can reach a wider audience in FM quality across the country. I hope audiences enjoy our programming in English, French and Hausa from around the country.
These include discussions around important issues affecting the country such as migration, tourism, politics and culture as well as audience debates, interviews with high profile Cameroonians and music."
The new BBC in Garoua extends the BBC's already strong presence on FM in Cameroon which includes BBC in Yaounde, Bamenda, and Douala. The station will offer audiences listening in French and English the main news and current affairs programmes and also in Hausa at 5.30, 6.30 13.45 and 19.30 GMT from BBC Afrique.
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I think Ni John Fru Ndi is not so different from Biya but just that he is not yet in control of the Bread. Since the creation of the unsuccessfull S.D.F., this Fru Ndi has concentrated all power on him, he is the one who decides who is expelled from his party or not. How can a leader like this preach Democracy where in his own party there is no sign of Democracy. He has been the leader of this party from its creation till now and still he has not succeeded in proving his worth. I think He is a dictator in the S.D.F RANKS. People should start looking around them first, correcting what goes on in their own house only by this could they start vying for bigger ambitions. He who has a dictatorial tendency in his house what do you expect of him when he actually holds power. Brothers and sisters be aware of him.