Fake news dissemination: A burning issue by Belmondo Ndengue

The recent newscast by Cameroon tabloids around the setbacks which occurred at the house of Professor Sosthène Fouda a few days ago, and the fire which broke out at the National Assembly of Cameroon on Thursday night is questionable.

The firing of the female journalist who, based on unconvincing images published on so-called social media, is another reason to believe that something must be done in the way information is handled by a couple media and journalists.

Such unprofessional news coverage can tell not all media workers in today’s Cameroon are doing the right job. Most of them became journalists because of the winds of political change which swept out most Sub-Saharan African countries in the early 90s.

The advent of a free press had put an end to decades of one-party rule and one-sided State media. But this pluralism has its ups and downs. Acquired freedom has led to anarchy. A similar situation has existed in the Caribbean Republic of Haiti, the twin sister of Africa in many areas.

Since the beginning of the so-called "Anglophone" crisis, social networks have become arenas where both Francophone and Anglophone users have been engaged in a true verbal war, using indecent language and disrespect.

These moods should no longer be tolerated under any circumstances by media owners and their associates in their mission of information, education and entertainment. Internet users should self-censor accordingly.

Governments, civil societies, lawyers, and ordinary citizens, and ethical organizations ought to focus on these new social plagues called the dissemination of destructive news. These attempts are contrary to what decent person should do. Something must change.  Media owners should be part of this effort.