State and Church share the combat against hate speech
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Loading... - Evans Boafo
- 06 Jun 2023
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Cameroonian authorities are determined to bolster their efforts in combating the spread of hate speech. Just over a week ago, Paul Atangaji, the Minister of Territorial Administration, sternly declared, "Any individual found guilty of hate speech or any media outlet that utilizes its platform to promote xenophobia will face severe punishment in accordance with the laws of our Republic." He further emphasized, "The same consequences will apply to those who exploit social media to propagate hate, violence, and tribalism."
Emmanuel Sadi, the Minister of Communication, had already expressed his unwavering commitment to tackling such harmful discourse a few days prior. During a press conference held on May 17 in Yaoundé, he emphasized that this battle should be regarded as an "absolute priority" in safeguarding democracy, upholding the rule of law, and preserving the cherished values of peace, unity, and coexistence. Sadi highlighted, "In our nation, hate speech predominantly manifests as ethnic and social discrimination and stigmatization, primarily occurring through various media channels, including traditional outlets such as the press, radio, and television, as well as online platforms, particularly social media."
Finding inspiration in St. James
In their campaign against this form of speech, Cameroonian authorities can draw support from the Catholic Church. Father Humphrey Tatah Mbuy, the Communications Secretary of the Episcopal Conference of Cameroon, eloquently illustrates this by quoting the Bible: "If you turn to the Book of St. James, you will learn that although one can control colossal machinery, mighty vessels, and even the most advanced weaponry, there is one thing that remains minuscule yet incredibly difficult to control, and that is the human tongue." He further emphasizes, "The tongue possesses the power to wreak havoc, and throughout history, it has been the cause of numerous conflicts and wars."
The country itself directly experiences the ramifications of hate speech, particularly evident in the crisis engulfing the Anglophone region, which has been partly fueled by such inflammatory rhetoric. The Peace Tech Lab, an American nonprofit organization, remarks, "Cameroon has witnessed a surge in hateful and incendiary discourse amidst an escalating crisis between the Anglophone and Francophone communities, as well as political elites." Regrettably, this crisis has resulted in the loss of thousands of lives in recent years due to violent clashes.
The Wisdom of the Golden Rule
Father Mbuy suggests that hate speech may have exacerbated the conflict in the two Anglophone regions. He exemplifies this by citing derogatory terms used, such as labeling government officials working in these areas as "colonial masters," while the government refers to separatists as "terrorists" or "bandits." Father Mbuy explains, "The usage of such words only serves to ignite further anger and animosity." Additionally, he points out the usage of pejorative expressions like "invaders" or "anglofou," which is a combination of the French word "Anglophone" (someone who speaks English) and "fou," an adjective meaning "mad" or "foolish," insinuating that Anglophones are foolish individuals who act irrationally and contrary to expectations.
To combat hate speech, Father Mbuy proposes the following solutions. "The golden rule is simple: Treat others as you would like to be treated; refrain from saying anything to someone that you wouldn't want said to you." Furthermore, as fellow Cameroonians, he urges, "We are all citizens of the same homeland, and as such, no person should believe they have a greater claim to it than another."
