Joe Dinga Pefok (Uncle Joe)
In A Critical Observation On Press Freedom Day In Cameroon, An Expert In Peace Building And Conflict Resolution, Prof DZE – NGWA, Says Cameroon Must Confront An Uncomfortable, But Necessary Truth : “THE DEBATE ON PRESS FREEDOM IS NO LONGER ABOUT WHETHER THE PRESS SHOULD BE FREE, BUT HOW THAT FREEDOM IS EXERCISED AND SOMETIMES ABUSED”.
On the occasion of the ‘celebration’ of this year’s World Press Freedom Day, which came up on Sunday, May 3, 2026, a prominent international expert on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Prof Willibroad Dze – Ngwa, has in an article on Press Freedom In Cameroon, courageously and objectively dared to look at both sides of the coin on the issue. Worthy of Note that Prof Dze – Ngwa is the Founding President of the Heritage Higher Institute of Peace and Development Studies in Yaounde.
A Contradictory Situation
Meanwhile, taking a critical look at both sides of the coin on the issue of press freedom in Cameroon, Prof Dze – Ngwa presents a contradictory situation of the press in Cameroon, as portrayed on the different sides of the coin – A press that is on the one hand constrained, and on the other hand at times irresponsible.
Dze – Ngwa on the one hand regrets that in Cameroon journalists continues “to face intimidation, arrests, and regulatory pressures, often justified under vague or broadly interpreted legal provisions”. On the other hand, he equally regrets that: “The proliferation of unverified information, sensational headlines, and ‘trial by media’ is steadily eroding public trust”. He asserts that, “a segment of the media is drifting into a crisis of credibility”. The genuine intellectual (Prof Dze –Ngwa) warns that the contradiction is not just problematic, but dangerous. He asserts that while an un-free press weakens democracy, an irresponsible press can destabilize society.
“The Media Must Look Inward”
In the face of the prevailing and disturbing situation, Prof Dze-Ngwa calls on media practitioners to strive to objectively look inward, cautioning that press freedom is not , and cannot be a license to publish unverified claims, amplify hate and division, and sacrifice truth for speed or profit. He thinks the right way forward is not only to talk about press freedom, but to also work toward s having what he terms, RESPONSIBLE FREEDOM. “Cameroon does not need a louder press, it needs a better press”, Prof Dze-Ngwa argues.
High Level Peace Building Workshop In Douala
It should be noted that the international expert in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Prof Willibroad Dze –Ngwa, did not only wait for the 2026 World Press Freedom Day, to courageously and candidly express his humble view on the issue of press freedom in Cameroon. He recently touched on this issue from another angle, during a recent presentation he made on the topic: Towards A Broad Based, Inclusive & Participatory Engagement In Peace Building. He made the presentation at a high level Peace Building Workshop, which held in the Conference Hall of the Nico Halle & Co Law Firm in Douala on April 10, 2026, on the theme : JUSTICE, PEACE BUILDING AND RECONCILIATION IN CAMEROON. The workshop was jointly organized by the Heritage Higher Institute of Peace and Development Studies Yaounde, and the Nico Halle & Co Law Firm Douala, as part of activities by the two institutions to celebrate the 3rd anniversary of their partnership. The high level workshop had as moderators Prof Willibroad Dze – Ngwa, and the International Peace Crusader, Sir Dr Barrister Ntumfor Nico Halle, who were as well two of the four experts or resource persons that made presentations at the workshop.
The International Expert in Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Prof Dze – Ngwa, in his presentation, among other things expressed his disappointment with the fact that some media organs or pressmen in a Cameroon, that is faced with a number of major crisis or situation of insecurity, in their reports instead try to further heighten tension or inflame the situation in the country, with disinformation or sensationalism. Prof Dze –Ngwa said what some journalists or media organs recklessly write on the Anglophone Crisis for example, only help to worsen an already bad situation, and thus raises questions about their real objectives.
2025 Post – Election Crisis – Bad Journalism
Prof Dze – Ngwa , cited as an example of irresponsible reporting, what happened during the recent post –election crisis in Cameroon. That is, the crisis that gripped the country after the October 12, 2025 presidential election. Dze – Ngwa regretted that instead of journalists or media organs staying neutral and performing their duty correctly, by diligently carrying out investigations and informing the public about what was really happening, quite, a number of journalists, or media organs, instead became agents of disinformation – propagating false or distorted information. He said these journalists took sides, supporting one candidate, or the other, with their repots becoming propaganda from the camps of the candidates. Prof Dze – Ngwa said a segment of the Cameroon media was thus directly or indirectly responsible for the escalation of the post –election crisis, as reporters instead became fanatical supporters of some camps, for selfish interests.
It should be noted that a number of journalists drawn from different media organs, were among the participants that attended the high level workshop in Douala on April 10, 2026. So Dze – Ngwa did not criticize bad journalism practice behind the back of journalists.
Effects Of Irresponsible Reporting On Peace Building And Conflict Resolution
Meanwhile, the international Expert on Peace Building and Conflict Resolution, Prof Willibroad Dze Ngwa, do point out that reckless or irresponsible reporting by some journalists on a crisis situation, only helps to further complicate things against efforts being made in peace building and conflict resolution in the society. Whereas the resolution of a crisis or a conflict in the society is for the good of humanity and the society, some journalists unfortunately put their selfish interest above the general interest.
MEANWHILE, BELOW IN ITS ENTIRETY, IS THE ARTICLE ON PRESS FREEDOM IN CAMEROONTHAT, PROF WILLIBROAD DZE-NGWA, PUT OUT, ON THE OCCASION OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE 2026 WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY::
Press Freedom in Cameroon: Freedom Without Responsibility Is a Risk We Cannot Afford
By Professor Willibroad Dze-Ngwa
As we mark World Press Freedom Day, Cameroon must confront an uncomfortable but necessary truth: the debate on press freedom is no longer about whether the press should be free—but how that freedom is exercised, and sometimes abused.
Yes, the Constitution guarantees press freedom.
Yes, Cameroon aligns—at least on paper—with standards championed by UNESCO.
But beyond these formal assurances lies a troubling reality: a press that is at once constrained and, at times, irresponsible. This contradiction is not just problematic—it is dangerous.
On the one hand, journalists continue to face intimidation, arrests, and regulatory pressures, often justified under vague or broadly interpreted legal provisions. This must be stated without hesitation: a press that operates under fear cannot serve democracy.
On the other hand, segments of the media are drifting into a crisis of credibility. The proliferation of unverified information, sensational headlines, and “trial by media” practices is steadily eroding public trust. In a country already strained by conflict and political tension, this is not merely unprofessional—it is destabilizing.
Cameroon is not operating in a neutral environment. The Anglophone crisis, insecurity in the Far North, and fragile political dynamics mean that information is power. Used responsibly, it can inform, calm, and unify. Used recklessly, it can inflame tensions and deepen divisions.
This is the hard truth:
An unfree press weakens democracy—but an irresponsible press can destabilize society.
So where do we draw the line?
First, the government must:
– Resist the temptation to hide behind regulation as a tool of control.
– Laws must protect, not silence.
– Regulatory bodies must act transparently and consistently—not selectively.
Treating critical journalism as a threat will only deepen public mistrust and weaken institutional legitimacy.
Second, the media must look inward.
Freedom is not a license to:
– Publish unverified claims
– Amplify hate or division
– Sacrifice truth for speed or profit.
Professional standards are not optional—they are the foundation of credibility. As underscored by the International Federation of Journalists, ethical journalism is the backbone of meaningful press freedom.
Cameroon does not need a louder press. It needs a better press.
The way forward lies in what I call “responsible freedom”:
– Freedom from political interference
– Responsibility in content and conduct
– Unwavering commitment to the public interest.
Anything less descends into either propaganda or chaos.
If Cameroon is to navigate its current challenges—conflict, governance, and national cohesion—the press must rise to the occasion: not as an unchecked actor, and not as a controlled instrument, but as a trusted institution.
Because, in the end, the real question is not how free the press is—but whether the press is worthy of that freedom.
Happy World Press Freedom Day
.Professor Willibroad Dze-Ngwa
President, Heritage Higher Institute of Peace and Development Studies, Yaoundé.
