NCC, US Embassy hold talks on press freedom.

This was the crux of an audience NCC president, Joseph Chebongkeng Kalabubsu, granted a delegation led by the US Ambassador, Christopher John Lamora, Tuesday. 

Speaking at the end of the close to two hours audience, the US Ambassador to Cameroon revealed that the aim of the exchange with the NCC boss and senior officials of the institution centered on the relationship of the media in society. 

Ambassador Lamora said discussions also touched on programs that the United States government and the United States Embassy have been conducting over many years with Cameroon for Cameroonian journalists. 

“We talked about freedom of the press, freedom of expression in general. How those issues are handled in the United States. I was given some insightful information about the role of the National Communication Council in that same regard here in Cameroon,” Lamora said. 

The US Ambassador stated that the press plays an important role in every democratic society. Lamora reiterated the commitment of the embassy to encourage press freedom in the country and around the world. 

“We have been very clear on this for several years. You have to look at our reports on human rights in Cameroon. We have concerns to see a free press free but I have also noticed that there are many media houses in the country. Cameroonians have several choices with regards to the media they want to watch, listen or read to have information,” the US Ambassador said. 

He said the audience was also an opportunity for him to introduce to the President of the NCC and his team the embassy’s new Deputy Ambassador, John Robertson, and the new Head of Public Affairs, Gaina Davila, who joined the team. 

He mentioned that he was optimistic that the duo will also have good relationship with the NCC. 

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue No:3205 of Wednesday August 21, 2024