Douala-based broadcaster, My Media Prime TV, has announced it is suing Prof Jean Bahebeck following what the TV station describes as “defamatory statements” the 2025 presidential hopeful made during a live TV program on a sister channel.
In an outing on Yaounde-based Info TV on Sunday June 1, Prof Bahebeck who wants to run for president in the forthcoming vote under the beleaguered opposition party, the Union of the Peoples of Cameroon (UPC), alleged that My Media Prime and one of its journalists, Lasha Kingsley belong to a “mafia network” aimed at discrediting certain presidential candidates.
In a rebuttal on Monday June 2, the privately owned TV station described the politician’s allegations as “baseless and damaging” saying it will press charges against the Professor of Othpaedics and trauma Surgery, who raised the issues on a public platform “without providing any credible evidence”.
“Such unfounded claims not only tarnish the reputation of our dedicated journalist but also undermine the integrity of our media institution,” the statement signed by the General Manager of My Media Prime TV reads in part.
The Douala-based TV noted in the statement that prior to Prof Bahebeck’s media outing in which he made the “damaging” allegations; the politician had earlier requested a right to reply after he felt unsatisfied with the outing of one of their guests, Henriette Ekwe who is also a member of the UPC party on a program aired on May 4.
The General Manager of My Media Prime explained in the statement that Prof Bahebeck’s request was granted as a sign of the media organ’s strong attachment to professionalism.
However, things did not go well when TV station hosted Prof Bahebeck on its bilingual program “Tribune” on Saturday, May 24. During the program co-hosted by Sylvain Tchokoga and Lasha Kingsley with Prof Bahebeck as guest, the TV channel said the presidential hopeful refused to answer a direct question from Lasha despite prior notification of the topic in accordance with protocol.
NewsWatch understands the question had to do with Prof Bahebeck’s (in)eligibility to run for the October 2025 presidential election under the UPC party that is divided into factions following internal disagreements.
“In the light of these malicious declarations, My Media Prime TV has decided to pursue legal action against Prof. Jean Bahebeck for defamation”, the TV channel said. “We believe in the rule of law and are confident that the legal process will address this grievance appropriately”.
Prof Bahebeck had not commented on the TV station’s press release.
My Media Prime TV that prides itself as one of the most-watched TV station in Cameroon has reiterated their commitment to upholding the integrity of journalism through “fair and unbiased reporting”, which has earned them that recognition.
The TV station has also called on media professionals to resist the spread of unfounded allegations, cautioning that such threatens the foundation of the country’s budding democracy.
