The North West NW Chapter of the Cameroon
Journalists’ Trade Union CJTU/SNJC has expressed concerns over the wellbeing and
practice of Journalists and related media workers in the North West Region of
Cameroon.
A release from the Union on Wednesday September 4 signed by Bakah
Derick the Chapter President who is also NW/W Bureau Chief for The Guardian
Post Daily Newspaper also apologises to consumers of media products of the
media’s inability to serve them fully. Here is the release Hilltopvoices
Cameroon got a copy. |
| Bakah Derick CJTU/SNJC NW Chapter President |
The Cameroon
Journalists' Trade Union, CJTU/SNJC, North West Region, is so saddened and
feels deeply affected by the fact that for almost two weeks now, the entire
media family and members of the Union have not been able to fully perform their
inherent role of informing, educating and entertaining, as well as that of
cultural transmission and advocacy in the NW Region.
The calls
received from concerned consumers of media products have once again reminded us
of the important role we as media workers play in society.
As you may
know, transportation has been a serious problem in the Region. This has made it
impossible for us to access our work places or for newspapers to be
distributed. You may also be aware of repeated attacks and abductions of
journalists and other media practitioners in the NW, and most recently, in the
SW.
The lives of
your servants, who are media workers, have repeatedly been at risk, thus
forcing many to move out of the Region, leading to a drastic drop in media
services.
Of course,
we cannot serve you in such an environment. CJTU/SNJC, on behalf of her
members, sincerely apologises for the lacunae created in our society by this
involuntary absence of your servants.
While hoping
that a more enabling environment makes it possible for us to return to work
soon, we encourage us all to make wise choices as we consume information on
news media and external traditional organs like TVs, making conscious efforts
not to fall in the hands of disinformation managers. We also call on those who have
attacked and abducted media workers to desist from such acts. Again, we
reiterate that the media and all related actors are apolitical and should not
be tagged to any political ideology.
Once more,
accept our most sincere apology.
Bamenda,
September 4, 2019.
The release comes in the heart of
a lockdown ordered by separatists.