Media political discussion programmes have been attracting increasingly fervent audiences.

The favourite pastime of most Cameroonians is no doubt football. But over the recent years, radio and television political discussion programmes or talk shows have caught the attention of a growing number of people – be they card-carrying political party members or not. Even those people who hitherto paid scant attention to politics are today being drawn into such discussions after watching programmes on TV or listening on radio. A number of reasons explain this development.

Topicality Of Topics Cameroonian radio and television chat shows have their appeal in the issues they handle. “People are concerned about the future of their country. They easily identify with the topics and somehow find consolation in what is said,” explains a Yaounde-based journalist. Timing, it must be noted, is also important.

For example, discussions on electoral reforms were more topical just prior and in the aftermath of the September 30, 2013 parliamentary and local council elections. Similarly, the Boko Haram insurgency in the Far North Region has been on the lips of many radio and TV talk show guests since President Paul Biya formally declared war against the sect last May.

Quality Of Guests, Hosts Apart from the subjects for discussion, the quality of invited guests also determines to a large extent the viewership or listenership. This is especially true for regular, popular talk show participants. Thus, the mention of their presence on a particular discussion programme determines to some extent the number of viewers or listeners who will stay tuned.

There is no gainsaying that chat show guests are often attracted to particular programmes because they are impressed by the manner in which the hosts handle issues. The popularity of a political discussion programme is thus inseparable from the quality of guests and host.

What Programme, Station/Channel? Closely linked to who participates in a particular talk show is the radio station or TV channel involved. Public interest in media political debates in our society is often a function of the renown of the media house. Wider geographical spread and credibility of the media house tends to draw more ‘followership’ than relatively unknown new media names. As a result, reputable media houses tend to go for the ‘best’ or do everything to keep a certain number of already popular chat show guests.

Angling, Manner Of Presentation While many radio stations and TV channels offer various chat shows, often at weekends, their manner of presentation and content in terms of variety, make the difference. The dexterity, mastery of issues under discussion and the use of either the French or English languages, not only attract greater followership and confidence in guests and hosts, but also the audience.

Some programmes offer viewers or listeners the opportunity to participate by sending SMS text messages or to call in. Others include a review of the press’ major highlights for the week or a focus on some major social happening. In the meantime, Cameroonians continue to look up to talk show hosts and guests for insight into political happenings in their land.

While some are quite ready to part with their hard-earned cash to call and participate in such programmes, others simply look forward to the approach of weekends when their favourite political chat shows will be presented.

Thereafter, they can continue their own heated arguments at home or among friends and colleagues on what they think ought to have been mentioned or left out of a particular programme.