Biya’s Continued Stay in Power: Yaounde to increase financial aid to private media organisations ⁰

The Minister of Communication and so-called government spokesman has defended the budget of his ministerial department which however recorded a relative decline from 4.74 to 4.39 billion FCFA.

Interestingly, Issa Tchiroma Bakary hinted the Francophone dominated National Assembly that public aid to private newspapers will increase from 400 to 600 million CFA francs in 2018. In 2016, the prize pool amounted to 250 million CFA francs distributed to pro CPDM tabloids.

Since last Saturday, the cabinet members of the Biya Francophone regime have visited alternately the Finance Committee to defend the budget of their respective ministerial departments for 2018 amid a massive opposition protest led by the Social Democratic Front.

Issa Tchiroma mainly focused on the rehabilitation of state radio and television, CRTV and the private press informing the elected representatives that the media will be “very important” in light of future events notably the presidential election and the organisation of the 2019 African Cup of Nations.

By Sama Ernest