There is an unprecedented surge of hate speech in Cameroon amplified by the internet and social media which has become a real concern for government, undermining democratic values, social peace and consequently stability of the state.
To address the measures undertaken by government to address this regrettable phenomenon, Communication Minister and Government Spokesperson, Rene Emmanuel Sadi granted a press briefing accompanied by his peer from Territorial Administration, Paul Atanga Nji and the President of the National Commission for the Promotion of Bilingualism and Multiculturalism(NCPBM), Peter Mafany Musonge.
Government Spokesperson reiterated that sensitization will be intensified to draw the attention of everyone to become aware of the harmful consequences of such practices in daily life.
“To fight this ill, the government intends to raise awareness across the nation through education and communication activities as part of the national education and citizenship plan. The Head of State has prescribed a strategic approach, broken down into two major axes: a media axis by mobilizing national media in favour of this objective and a non-media axis involving initial education at the grassroots level of young people and adolescents”
In Cameroon, hate speech is manifested through ethnic and social discrimination, stigmatisation, tribalism, calls for insurgency and genocide, gender based violence among others, to which a number of legal text have been enacted to regulate it. This only goes to show that the regulator has recognized the danger it represents to the cohesion of the nation.
On the eve of the 51st edition of National Day, government appeals to the collective conscience of patriotism and sense of responsibility of all to preserve peace and national unity.
Minister Paul Atanga Nji of Territorial Administration and the Peter Mafany Musonge, President of the NCPBM took turns to call on all to work for the banishment of hate speech and make Cameroon a haven of peace where plurality of ethic groups, cultures and religions coexist in harmony.
