The dismissal of the cases against journalist and IAWRT Communications Officer Lady Ann Salem at the Court of Appeals (CA) was cause for celebration among IAWRT and journalists’ communities in the Philippines and elsewhere. It was the case that had been impending since Salem was set free—almost two years—as the government lawyers promptly pursued the trumped-up cases against her.

While the case was pending at the CA, Salem worked to launch IAWRT’s Digital Safe House in the Philippines in 2021 and continued as IAWRT Communications Officer up to the present. She is also a current media fellow of the Asia Pacific Forum on Women, Law and Development.

In January and August this year, the Appellate Court dismissed the government’s lawyer’s petition and upheld the trial court’s findings that set Salem free after almost three months in jail. Among them, the CA recognized how the inconsistencies in the testimonies of the police and their informant revealed the impossibility of their claims and how Salem’s rights were violated in the search that was implemented at her home on December 10, 2020.  Salem’s case at the trial court was among the fastest dismissal of cases of political persecution in the country.

However, the government lawyers moved to go after Salem up to the Highest Court in the Philippines when they filed their appeal to the CA decision on September 27, made known to Salem and her counsels on October 13.

Salem was also recently red-tagged by former government officials from the previous Duterte administration over the TV network SMNI, where the hosts said that freed political prisoners like Salem should be charged with the Anti-Terrorism Law.

IAWRT trusts that justice will prevail and that the Ph Supreme Court will find this case to be a teaching moment for upholding the constitutional rights of Filipinos against unreasonable search and seizures and arrests, abuse of authority and political persecution.

IAWRT Cameroon chapter head Tchonko Becky Bissong was appointed as the new Department in charge of TV programming in CRTV in state broadcaster Cameroon Radio Television (CRTV). 

An official installation ceremony was held on September 4 at CRTV’s head office which was chaired by the Director General –Mr. Charles Ndongo and his Deputy Emmanuel Wongibe.  The appointments were one of the major resolutions of an Extraordinary Board meeting of the CRTV; and so there were many promotions ranging from professional ranks to operation executive positions. 

“I feel honoured and privileged that amongst the several competent colleagues who could have been called to serve the CRTV as TV programmer, the CRTV Management threw her arguments on my person… I feel terrified by the immense work that this entails, but somewhat excited, since my creativity and sense of innovation will be put to test, by the fact that I am also called to propose a relooking of what programmes we offer to our diverse viewers who are more and more exigent to the state broadcaster. 

Becky has been a producer for CRTV’s radio for over 20 years. 

“About leaving the radio after over 2 decades, these are mixed feelings! Of course, because I leave a familiar environment where I had groomed several young journalists; most importantly, I leave the airwaves where I had become a dependable voice, especially for women and girls, but also, Radio through which I have become a media personality beyond Cameroon,” shared Becky. 

She served as Unit head in charge of Major events from 2014 to 2017, then as Unit head in charge of Quality Control of Radio programmes from July 2017 to August 2023. She said the last two positions she held in radio seemed to have prepared her for her present job. 

“As Head of Department in charge of programming, my primordial role requires that I ensure quality, diversified, educative and attractive content on the CRTV Premium / Classical/ mother channel. This entails featuring programmes for different categories of viewers: from administrative and political, through development partners, Diplomacy and CSOs, to the different socio-cultural components with their varied needs and expectations. To attain this objective I am called to collaborate with all 10 regional stations, get programmes produced by CRTV Productions and also acquire programmes from external local and foreign producers.  My department is also charged with coordinating and harmonizing live broadcasts of special and National events, as well as the promotion of programmes that will be screened daily. The task is vast, compact, delicate and strategic!” said Becky. 

While the new role is challenging, Becky thinks the new post came at the right moment.

“You know that monotony is counter-productive for anyone. Actuality there have been times when I felt that I should convey my energy towards something different, something new and something more challenging.  And for the practicing Christian that I am, I believe God answered my prayers with this totally new and challenging position,” shared Becky. 

But even prior to this new achievement, Becky feels that she has fulfilled her life’s dream of being a broadcast journalist for 22 years. And through that work, she was able to help thousands of people. 

“I was able to echo the problems of the marginalized, underprivileged and diminished. I was able to reach scores of thousands of listeners in Cameroon and abroad, pointing to the powers that be and how they should channel resources so as to human-centred decisions for impactful development. I was able to point to the taboos, to condemn human rights violations on women and Girls to sensitize them against stigmatization and I was able to speak for equal chances, equal opportunities, the empowerment of women and Girls and the effective participation of women in the decision-making process,” said Becky.  

But her work is not yet done. 

“Though I move to the TV, CRTV is a corporation and a network. I have the responsibility to ensure continuity on the airwaves for the Radio shows… so I have been grooming some young, daring talents to take over…The shift to TV is a call from hierarchy which many would love. For me, this means that the management of CRTV has been following up my career evolution and believes that I am up to the task. Although it looks scary, I have met quite an enthusiastic and neatly woven team here.  I am convinced that with the guiding principles of humility, availability and hard work, teamwork is the magic key that can change challenges to enviable positive results,” she enthused. 

In commemoration of the 2023 International Day of Democracy under the global theme ‘An Era of Democratic Unrest’, IAWRT Uganda has customised its local theme on; ‘Mobilising Media solidarity for women and girls trapped in oppression’. 

Inspired by this theme, IAWRT Uganda is mobilising an activity involving a cross-section of women in the media and beyond to participate in an online panel discussion in solidarity with women and girls trapped in oppressive oppression. This will be held on September 16, 3 pm Eastern Africa time. Speakers include:

• Lady Ann Salem, Philippines
• Nupur Basu, India
• Awaz Lahn, Iraq
• Yvonn Tshepang Mooka, Botswana
• Omayma Elmard, Sudan
• Becky Bissong, Cameroon
• Claudia Anthony, Sierra Leone

IAWRT Uganda observes that gender equality and the rights of women are being frustrated in the face of Democratic Unrest. According to the Georgetown University Women Peace and Security Index, the implementation of laws on gender equality has slowed down in recent years. At the same time, violence against women has increased, including in politics. 

It is a fact that women’s rights and democracy go hand in hand. Women’s participation in social movements cannot be ignored yet when they centrally take stage, chances of success are so high with recent examples of women playing a major role in opposing authoritarian regimes and military coups in Myanmar, Sudan and numerous other countries for decades. 

Understanding the link between democratic decline and opposition to gender equality is important for those who support democracy and gender equality. The debate on the deterioration of democracy must not be gender-blind. The question could also be, what happens to democracy when gender equality declines? 

 Media has a very big role to play in a democracy as the fourth pillar of democracy, the fourth estate and its stature is in no way less than that of politicians. Through the media’s power to shape and influence public opinions and mobilise solidarity for a cause, we are optimistic about drawing global attention to the women and girls trapped in oppression. 

IAWRT Uganda is therefore leveraging the power that comes with collective diverse voices for a common cause to use the women in the media and beyond to amplify voices of /about the plight of women trapped in oppression. 

Bio of speakers:

IAWRT Nepal holds the 4th Short Film Competition.

The deadline for entries is on September 15, 2023.