Prof. Messanga Nyamding, a tenured professor of political science and public law, said that Cameroon’s Conseil National de la Communication (CNC) should be viewed not as an autonomous authority but as an advisory council to the Minister of Communication. His remarks came during a recent interview in which he stressed the importance of institutional respect for legal frameworks.
Nyamding explained that the CNC’s mandate is limited to providing counsel rather than exercising independent regulatory power. By characterising the body as “a council of the minister of communication,” he highlighted what he sees as a structural relationship that places the CNC under ministerial direction.
“No state can exist without the respect of its own rules,” Nyamding asserted, underscoring his belief that adherence to established legal norms is essential for the functioning of any government.
The professor’s comments arrive amid ongoing discussions in Cameroon about media regulation and the balance between state oversight and press freedom. Critics have long debated whether the CNC operates with sufficient independence to safeguard journalistic standards.
Nyamding’s observations add a scholarly perspective to the debate, reminding policymakers that the legitimacy of regulatory bodies rests on their alignment with the rule of law and transparent governance.
<small>Source: Actu Cameroun — read the original story there.</small>