By DOH JAMES SONKEY
Communication Minister and Chair of the National Commission for the Scrutiny of Applications for Government Subsidy to Private Communication, Issa Tchiroma Bakary has urged beneficiaries of the 2017 government subsidy to private communication in the country to use the funds put at the disposal of their various News Organs, Printing Press and Professional Associations to improve performance and professionalism especially as 2018 is an election year in the country and as Cameroon prepares to host the Total African Nations Cup, AFCON in 2019.
Minister Issa Tchiroma made the call last February 20, 2018 at the Conference Hall of his Ministry in Yoaunde, as he chaired the 16th session of the commission for the year 2017.
Admitting that just like was the case in 2016, the session for 2017 is holding late due to financial difficulties faced by the country ushering in a drastic drop in the envelope allocated for 2017 which stands at FCFA 216 million as opposed to 240 in 2016.
He clarified that such a drop does not erase government’s will to ameliorate State means to private communication in Cameroon.
“16 years after the establishment of this support mechanism under the special impulse of the Head of State, H,E Paul Biya, it should be underscored that despite the continuous debate on the amount of the envelope and eligibility of certain professions, the subsidy has contributed to strengthen technical, logistical and financial capacities of beneficiaries.” Rejoiced Minister Tchiroma.
He decried that government’s efforts to develop a quality media that would provide jobs in the country are unfortunately still hampered by unethical professional practices of misinformation, slandering, manipulation through social networks and propagation of anti-patriotism spirit which do not honour this attractive job.
Minister Issa Tchiroma invited members of his commission to work with celerity, serenity and objectivity as they examined the 150 application files received as follows; print media=65, commercial radios=11, televisions=6, printing press=3, producers=3, online organs=11, global communication=1, professional organizations=8 and community radios=42.