Critical CRTV programme that exposed land-grabbers reinstated

But panelists back out citing “toothlessness” of restructured programme
 

From Mua Patrick Mughe in Buea

The ban on CRTV Buea critical weekly programme, Press Club has reportedly been lifted but panelists, The Guardian Post has gathered, have vowed not to go on air until certain conditions are met. Last week, a service note dated August 26 announcing the annulment of the ban with certain changes considered by the panelists and moderator as obnoxious was made public yet last Saturday’s programme was not aired because panelists did not show up.

In a strongly-worded letter addressed to the National Communication Council, NCC and several diplomatic missions, a copy of which The Guardian Post stumbled on; the panelists condemned in strong terms recent modifications on the programme by CRTV Buea regional authorities. The signatories of the memo titled: “Unjustified ban of CRTV Buea Press Club” described the restructuring of the programme as the return of press censorship in the country.

Read portions of the memo:“…the station manager signed an order dated 26 August 2014 lifting the suspension but introduced censorship: that the program must be recorded and its synopsis sent to him for approval one day before broadcast. The program would henceforth be moderated by four persons including Matute Menyoli (original anchor), Manka Ambe, Henry Mekole and David Bunyui on a monthly basis. Seen as a return to censorship, we have all resigned. We cannot sit and watch Press Club turn into Praise Club”.

Panelists termed the suspension the return to administrative censorship, which according to them is anti-democratic, for a country that prides itself as an advanced democracy.

The Guardian Post learnt that at the close of last week, a meeting was convened by CRTV Buea regional boss, David Chuye Bunyui to discuss on the new changes of the programme but the panelists collectively gave a total blackout on grounds that they could not attend such a meeting except the status-quo of the programme was maintained. One of the panelists, Ayang Macdonald who spoke to this reporter via telephone Saturday described the changes as the worst form of censorship.

The ban that got the highly-rated critical programme off air attracted sharp criticisms from members of the public especially advocates of press freedom. Panelists strongly hold that the ban on Press Club must have been triggered by the July 12, 2014 episode which focused on land-grabbing in Fako by some administrative authorities and chiefs.

During the programme Barrister Ikome Ngongi, a retired UN legal consultant and Tambe Tiku Christopher, ELECAM board member who doubles as South West regional coordinator of the National Commission on Human Rights and Freedoms cited some top administrators as heavy land-grabbers in Fako.

Prior to the suspension of the programme, most of the panelists; including the moderator/presenter, Matute Menyoli had complained of constant threats to their lives. Matute in an interview that was granted The Guardian Post said he had received numerous threatening calls and messages.

 The Guardian Post has however independently gathered that the introduction of three other alternating presenters beside Matute is a well-calculated move to kick him out from the critical call-in programme.