2025 Presidential Election: The Questions And Advices That Veteran Journalist, ERIC CHINJE, Has For Media Professionals And Social Media Influencers

“We must ask ourselves difficult questions: Are we serving the public interest, or are we mired in the same dysfunctions we denounce?”

“Are we providing necessary depth of analysis, or are we simply relaying the noise of crises without investigating their root causes?”

“Have we done enough to foster dialogue and accountability, or have we allowed the space for truth to shrink under the weight of fear and influence?”

“History will judge how the Cameroonian media responded to this moment. Let us not be spectators, but standard bearers of truth. Let us reclaim the highest ideals of our profession, not for ourselves, but for the future of the nation we serve”.

 ERIC CHINJE, an international communication expert, who is a household name in the country, was the pioneer Editor –in – Chief of CTV / CRTV. He moved on to lead communications at different times for the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Mo – Ibrahim Foundation, and later managed the African Media Initiative.  Known to be outspoken and patriotic, Chinje is committed to good governance in his country, Cameroon.  Of course it was definitely with that spirit of strong attachment to good governance, that he led communications at the Mo- Ibrahim Foundation.

Eric Chinje is a frontline member of the Cameroon New Vision, CANVI,  which is “a group of Cameroonians  at home and in the diaspora, striving to ensure  the  2025 presidential election  is issue based, not distracted by subjective considerations”. As aforementioned, Chinje is committed to good governance in Cameroon, and in line with that spirit, and coupled with his wide experience in journalism, both nationally and internationally, he frequently engage with the Cameroon media, with advice on the vital role news media should play in both elections and governance.

With the crucial 2025 presidential election in Cameroon around the corner, Eric Chinje has on behalf of CANVI, addressed a timely or important letter to media practitioners and social media influencers, reminding them of their professional and patriotic responsibility during this election period, the challengers  on the ground for them, and his humble advice on how things should be done for the interest of the profession,  the interest of the country  in ruin and its people , the interest of  democracy , the interest of  objectivity and justice.

BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETTY, IS THE LETTER THAT ERIC CHINJE, HAS ADDRESSED TO MEDIA PROFESSIONALS AND SOCIAL MEDIA INFLUENCERS:

Letter to Media Professionals and Social Media Influencers in Cameroon

A Profound Hunger for Change in the Country: A Role for the Media

Dear Friends, Dear Colleagues,

Cameroon finds itself at a critical crossroads in this 2025 election year. The political, economic, and

social crises plaguing the country have worsened to the point where inaction is no longer an option.

Today, more than ever before, we are so foolish as to believe that citizens are counting on us,

journalists and communications professionals, not only to report the facts, but also to serve as

guardians of the truth, catalysts for accountability, and facilitators of informed national dialogue.

Many of our fellow citizens seem to have given up in despair! “Cameroon is Cameroon. What can we

do?” has become a common refrain across the country. As if struck by some kind of fatality, we seem

to have abandoned all hope, all will for true national development, and all hope for the future of the

country. In the political jungle that our country has become, the mantra is the survival of the fittest.

Students graduate from colleges and universities with nothing more to look forward to than the

struggle to survive another day. Doctors and nurses graduate from once-reputable medical

institutions, with no career prospects in dilapidated health centers that are in dire need of qualified

personnel. Academic institutions litter the national landscape, while teachers wander the streets in

search of well-paying jobs. Farmers, who continue to cultivate the land despite increasing

difficulties, are faced with the persistent impassability of roads to transport their produce to a

destitute population.

For too long, the symptoms of our decline have been evident: governance faltering under the weight

of vested interests, an economy grappling with massive corruption and mismanagement, and a

society increasingly divided by tribalism and fabricated ethnic suspicions. Yet, amid these crises, one

truth remains: we have the power to shape the narrative, bring clarity where confusion reigns, and

hold those in power to account. We can help chart a path to a prosperous future, but we must all be

convinced of this country’s ability to rise again and find its place as a leader in Africa. Do you believe,

deep down, that Cameroon can and must do this? Do you think we have the leaders today with the

policies and vision to make it happen?

As the presidential election approaches, it is urgent to conduct a national assessment, debate

development options, and for leaders to propose credible solutions to the crises we face. It is true

that the general fear of electoral fraud has cast a shadow over the process, discouraging open

debate and limiting the emergence of candidates with new ideas and viable programs. Public

disillusionment is growing, and the space for constructive debate is shrinking.

In such a context, the role of the media becomes even more crucial. We must refocus the national

debate on the essential issues: governance, economic recovery, social stability, and the future of

democracy. We must challenge the forces that seek to stifle debate, denounce the mechanisms that

perpetuate political stagnation, and give voice to the aspirations of the people. This is not a call for

sensationalism or partisanship. It is a call for a renewed commitment to journalism that informs

rather than inflames, that seeks solutions rather than simply exposing problems. The Cameroonian

people need facts free from political allegiance, perspectives that illuminate rather than obscure,

and stories that reflect the struggles and aspirations of the nation. We must ask ourselves difficult

questions: Are we truly serving the public interest, or are we mired in the same dysfunctions we

denounce? Are we providing the necessary depth of analysis, or are we simply relaying the noise of

crises without investigating their root causes? Have we done enough to foster dialogue and

accountability, or have we allowed the space for truth to shrink under the weight of fear and

influence?

History will judge how the Cameroonian media responded to this moment. Let us not be spectators,

but standard-bearers of truth. Let us reclaim the highest ideals of our profession, not for ourselves,

but for the future of the nation we serve. As in the legend of the hummingbird, let everyone do their

part: it is time for soul-searching. It is time for action. We invite you to ask yourself: “What have I

done to contribute to meaningful change in the country?” The answer lies in your conscience, and

your future actions will reflect it!

Allow us to suggest a few courses of action:

i.) Help the country identify the leader it wants right now. “Enterprise Cameroon” is

looking for a CEO (Chief Executive Officer). The media should initiate and support the

consensus process on the profile of the leader we will recruit and the job description.

Attached is an example of the profile and terms of reference (TOR) that could guide the

search for the country’s next president.

ii.) A definitive refocusing of concerns about people, personalities, football, and scandals

to the real problems facing the country and the solutions to its many problems. Every

Cameroonian has an idea of possible solutions to the problems that directly affect them.

Media professionals should inform themselves and highlight them, especially those who

currently hold leadership positions or aspire to become leaders.

We hope that we will, individually and collectively, meet the demands of our time. We hope that

future generations of Cameroonian media professionals will remember with pride and find

inspiration in the work we did to save our country when it was up to us to help it win the war for

democracy and development.

Sincerely,

On behalf of the Cameroon New Vision Group (CANVI)