There is an age-old recognition of the Press as the Fourth Estate of the Realm. This recognition was however intended to complement the other three arms of government, namely the Executive, the Legislative and the Judiciary. In the true spirit of democracy which most modern states profess, a combination of the independence of each of these arms constitutes the solid foundation of a state born to feel its own pride. The press of course, on its part, is contented with the role it has been assigned as the watch dog, to guarantee a level play ground for the other estates of the realm. This, of course is democracy in action.
For this reason the constitutions of most countries advanced in democracy have endeared themselves to the clause that guarantees the freedom of the Press side by side other fundamental freedoms that are sacrosanct in the life of the human being. We are aware therefore that the preamble of our constitution did not fail to emphasise this reality. Our constitution, even in all its amended forms beginning from the 1961 constitution to the current 1996 amendment guarantees these freedoms including the right of the minorities.
Unfortunately, in the middle of the stalemate that now stands between the regime and the two English speaking regions of the North West and South West seem to have thrown the media in Cameroon unto some marshy ground, if not completely putting the media in danger. We say the Press in Cameroon is in danger because there has been a recent clamp down on the press, featuring the arbitrary arrests and detentions of journalists.
Under these circumstances, we are compelled to revisit the National Communication Forum which did such a marvelous job as to recommend the creation of a National communication Council, which would monitor the performances of the media and its family of Journalists, to ensure that they perform in conformity with the ethics of the profession.
To cynics however, the creation of the National Communications Council was seen as a poisoned chalice.
Many saw it coming as a would-be platform from which government will launch its arsenal against a free Press. Recently, veteran journalist, Peter Esoka, President of the National Communications Council, in an official communiqué prohibited the media from publishing anything that touches on the issue of secession and federalism. Although he later denied that he did not say so, and whatever was his intention of making this declaration in the first place, simply confirms the fears earlier expressed that government’s design for the creation of the Council was for it to be used for purpose of government’s campaign to weaken the press in Cameroon and probably using the National Communications Council to front for them. We know that the National Communications Council has a more dignifying role to play than to front for a government that already acknowledges its own responsibilities.
From all good intention a responsible government has it as its responsibility to ensure the viability of the press and not to muzzle it. No government that professes democracy and good governance can afford to alienate the press, talk less of waging a war against it. We in this Newspaper still believe that the National Communications Council has a real job in its hands. For one thing, this body is headed by someone whom the Cameroonian public considers a legend in his right and in the Journalism profession, whose ability to perform in whatever area of the profession he may be assigned; Veteran Peter Esoka’s reputation cannot be brought to question.
We are therefore once more tempted to say that his ability to perform should not this time around be exploited to turn him away from the dictates of his conscience. We think he has the ability as well to defend the press and advice in such circumstances in which government finds itself at the verge of losing its temper even against its avowed engagement to honour its pledges to respect enshrined provisions of the constitution.
It is certain that it was not just for the mere sake of it, that those who crafted the philosophy that embodies the core values of democracy agreed, that there must be a fourth estate of the realm, which is the press, and that the press should be the watch dog that must bark whenever things tend to go the other way. And of course it may bark but will never bite.
Recent developments affecting the press push us to the fear that some highly placed people may now be taking advantage of the present crisis in the country to settle scores with journalists who had tried to bark too loud. This is where we call for government’s restraint. As a nation that has had so much in its credit we cannot afford with our own hands paint our image black.
Like the Head of State said his New Year message, like all endearvours our experience is not perfect. We should therefore listen to each other. We should remain open to constructive ideas. This we agree with whole heartedly. But what we believe is that there are other rational means of dealing with 
who skip the limits of their ethics and this is where the communications Council comes in very favourably. Such should be grilled through a modest judicial process after thorough investigation to avoid witch hunting.