“Since 1991 when we founded this press enterprise in this country, we have not received even a pen from any organisation whatsoever. We try every day to work on the bases of our competence and that of our collaborators. We believe that we have done our job sufficiently well to the extent where the same Minister of Territorial Administration cannot go somewhere without insisting that an Equinoxe reporter is beside him. This is a TV channel which works in the interest of the republic and not against it,” said Tchounkeu on a special outing Monday night on Equinoxe TV.

Tchounkeu, who is also President of the National Press Card Issuance Commission, adds that Equinoxe TV will not blink one bit in its mission to present the news as it is no matter whose ox is gored.

He said Equinoxe Television has always remained professional in treatment of information but cannot understand why the Minister in his Monday press conference called out the media house.

Tchounkeu said they are republican, patriotic but will continue to put the people first, noting that the "Territorial Administration Minister is neither our boss nor our regulatory agency."

Equinoxe Television’s Editor-in-Chief, Cedric Noufele added that they are not afraid of anyone when it comes to treating stories, insisting as it were that they will remain professional, courageous and steadfast.

Indeed, Atanga Nji Paul, Cameroon’s Minister of Territorial Administration in a press conference Monday, March 9, 2020 said Human Rights Watch, Amnesty International, International Crisis Group, OCHA, REDHAC and other human rights associations and NGOs are being teleguided to destabilise the country, using in some instances the media to relay “fake news” with intent to tarnish the image of Cameroon.

Hear Atanga Nji: “The Minister of Territorial Administration affirms here that these NGOs have received over FCFA 5 billion from dubious networks within and out of the country to:

“Destabilise State Institutions; regularly publish, through certain media and social media, fabricated information to discredit the efficient management of the crisis in the North West and South West Regions by the government;

“Give the impression that Cameroon is not managing internally-displaced persons properly; demonstrate by all means that the crisis in the two regions is going from bad to worse; and show through fake reports that Cameroon army is carrying out acts against the civilian population.”

Minister Atanga Nji said Cameroon does not need a remake of Radio Mille Collines, warning some media houses to stop fanning the political crisis in the country.

Cameroon-Info.Net recalls that during the 1994 Rwandan Genocide, radio broadcasts are known to have played an important role in inciting ordinary citizens to take part in the massacres of their Tutsi, and moderate Hutu, neighbours. Two major radio stations are known to have transmitted hate propaganda to the “illiterate masses” – Radio Rwanda, and Radio Télévision des Milles Collines (RTLM).

Hear Atanga Nji: “I wish therefore to seize this opportunity to remind the media to stop being vectors of malicious reports from teleguided NGOs against our defence and security forces. Equinoxe TV, STV and Radio Balafon, Le Jour newspaper should take special note. To make myself very clear, I will quote this maxim, «He who sells eggs should never engage in a fight ».

“Cameroon does not need a remake of Radio Mille Colline. It is not the role of the media to add salt to an injury. In matters of law, he who buys or keeps stolen objects is punishable in the same way as the thief. A word to a wise is sufficient.

Before broadcasting any information, a responsible journalist has the obligation to verify its authenticity. Most of the time, the local media, for financial incentives, air unverified information from NGOs intended to tarnish the image of the country.

“After the twin elections of 9 February 2020, some NGOs, without any proofs, affirmed on private radios and TV channels that the polls were not free and fair, and were conducted in a manner to favour the ruling party to massively win seats at the National Assembly and councils.  These NGOs are far from the truth because any objective person will agree that the elections were free, credible and transparent.”