At day two of Doula media tour: NCC boss reiterates need for media integrity, social responsibility.

He made the call during the second day of his visit to some media organs in Douala, Littoral Region on September 4. During this lap of his tour, the NCC president visited Canal 2 International and My Media Prime. 

Addressing both journalists and the managing boards of Canal 2 International and My Media Prime, the NCC boss emphasized the pivotal role that media plays in shaping public discourse and maintaining democratic values. 

He highlighted the necessity for media practitioners to uphold their reputation and adhere strictly to ethical guidelines.

A key initiative discussed during the tour was the development of a comprehensive media map, scheduled for release before the end of this year. 

The tool, the NCC president said, aims to enhance the NCC's oversight capabilities and ensure that media comply with established rules and regulations. 

Chebongkeng said NCC's goal is to address and rectify issues within the media sphere, including the operation of press organs that fail to meet professional standards or neglect their tax obligations.

He hinged on the social responsibility of the media. The commission boss further called on journalists and media professionals to maintain high standards of fact-checking and accuracy, especially in an era increasingly influenced by social media. 

Chebongkeng also cited the rise of misinformation and decline in rigorous fact-checking as becoming worrisome. He urged media practitioners to counter these challenges through diligent and responsible journalism. 

“There's a phenomenon of information super highway. That is to say that information spreading like wild fire,” he said, noting that: “The journalist is therefore supposed to make a difference between the law, social impact, press release and facts, in order to serve the audience with credible information”.

Additionally, the NCC delegation, comprising experienced journalists, took the opportunity to provide valuable insights into effective information gathering and the principles of press freedom. 

The team also equipped journalists with the knowledge to navigate the complexities of modern media landscapes while upholding the integrity of their profession.

Rodrigue Tongue, Information Director of Canal 2 International and his colleagues raised some worries which were rapidly clarified.

At My Media Prime TV of the BT Media Group, the journalists raised concerns concerning fact-checking and information gathering. 

Veteran journalists such as Samson Websi, now a Journalism and Mass Communication lecturer, edified journalists on handling the delicate issue.

This story was first published in The Guardian Post issue N0:3221 of Friday September 6, 2024