Recently, the U.S. Embassy received the distinguished visit of National Communication Council (NCC) Acting President Mr. Peter Essoka, and his staff Secretary General Jean Tobie Hond, Communications Officer Mr. Alain Denis Mbezele, and Secretary Elias Beteck.

They were welcomed by Public Affairs Officer Roberto Quiroz II, Information Specialist Thomas Bouba, and Isabelle Kame-Domguia.

During their meeting, NCC Acting President Essoka outlined the NCC’s mission in Cameroon and expressed an interest in expanding a partnership between Cameroonian journalists and the United States. “The National Communication Council is committed to promoting the noble profession of the media, and the professionalization of journalists through accurate, facts based, responsible reporting that serves the public,” Mr. Essoka said.

Mr. Quiroz thanked Mr. Essoka for his visit and underscored the United States’ commitment to promote freedom of the press. “As Ambassador Michael S. Hoza has said, the United States places a top priority in promoting freedom of the press.

A free and independent media is essential to strengthen all societies, including the United States, and we are proud to partner with Cameroonian journalists in several endeavors. For example, the U.S. Department of State sponsors several programs specifically designed for members of the media, such as the Edward R. Murrow International Visitor Leadership Program and other journalism training opportunities.

Those programs not only enhance reporting skills, but also strengthen our partnership with journalists throughout the world who then expand their own professional networks to exchange ideas and best practices. We look forward to strengthening even further our partnership with the Cameroonian media.”

The U.S. Department of State’s Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists brings more than 100 emerging leaders in the field of journalism from around the world to the U.S. each year to examine journalistic practices in the United States. The program is an innovative public-private partnership between the Department of State and several top U.S. schools of journalism.