CAMEROON JOURNALISTS BREATHE, JEUNE AFRIQUE TREMBLES
The Colonial Ink Fades Amid Rising Independent Journalism in Africa
The media wields power to build or destroy. Pan-African outlets have established media agency, offering alternatives to traditional information patterns. Controlling narratives remain paramount for nations navigating global processes. « When Cameroon journalists breathe, Jeune Afrique trembles. » Wars begin with ideas before physical confrontation.
For centuries, pro-Western outlets like Jeune Afrique—still a reference for some—have shaped ambiguous African agendas, putting Francophone Africa in a state of quagmire. The African media revolution has put them in a web. Their escape plan? Attacks labelling Cameroonian Media professionals as « pro-Russian propagandists. »
In a desperate bid to reclaim narrative control against rising independent pan-African media, Jeune Afrique on February 26th , 2026 published a dubious report discrediting journalists freely interpreting global events. This frontal assault reveals JA’s failure to maintain its African media grip, reports reveal that its influence has been dwindling.
Jeune Afrique Targets Clarisse Wiydorven
Jeune Afrique contacted Clarisse Wiydorven, Global Insights host through its “reporter’’ Mathieu Olivier and put forth the following questions: Bonjour Madame, j’espère que vous allez bien.
Je travaille pour Jeune Afrique sur un article concernant l’influence russe dans les médias camerounaise. Je souhaite donc vous adresser trois questions concernant le média pour lequel vous travaillez, PM-TV.
Vous avez collaboré avec GlobUs Expert Council et avez été présentée publiquement comme membre de cette organisation. Pouvez-vous préciser votre statut exact au sein de cette structure ?
En 2023, vous vous êtes rendue à Marioupol en tant qu’« observatrice » d’élections organisées par la Russie. Qui vous a invitée et dans quel cadre juridique ou institutionnel cette mission s’inscrivait-elle ?
Quels sont aujourd’hui vos liens professionnels avec PM-TV et GlobUs, et existe-t-il des accords formalisés entre ces structures ?
Je vous remercie d’avance pour les réponses que vous pourrez m’apporter.
Bonne journée,
Mathieu Olivier
Wiydorven’s response:
Hello Mathieu Olivier,
I hope this message finds you well.
Thank you for reaching out professionally to gather information for your Jeune Afrique article. However, I find your questions more personal than professional, so I must respectfully decline to provide anticipated responses.
That said, your message is timely and opens an opportunity for me to share my current project: an investigation into media manipulation and the entanglement of African media in interpreting global processes. The media sphere is becoming more complex than politics itself. African media personalities, especially Cameroonian journalists offering alternative narratives beyond traditional information patterns, have been heavily targeted in reports (I’ve been a victim several times). This frustrates efforts to build an independent media space and interpretation for Africa amid shifting global dynamics.
PM-TV, like any other Cameroonian media organ with a pan-African editorial direction, has only Africa’s interests at heart. Understanding global politics and providing accurate interpretation is essential for Africa’s international cooperation and diplomacy. « Learn globally, apply locally. »
From a professional standpoint, you and I know that crossing boundaries is inappropriate. Your questions, in my interpretation, venture into personal territory rather than serving your article’s purpose. However, if you would like me to comment as a media consultant, I would appreciate a formal arrangement with an agreed fee.
I wish you well and hope to read your objective, unbiased publication soon.
Thank you,
Wiydorven Clarisse
Disdain for Journalistic Intelligence
The report abuses Mohamed Bachir Ladan and Clarisse Wiydorven’s 15-year experience in broadcast journalism, media diplomacy, and relations. According to Wiydorven, journalism transcends « rules-based order » dictates, it represents a sovereign sphere offering diverse global interpretations. Thus, a platform like PM and Global Insights, a knowledge sharing programme in conjunction with GlobUs foster critical thinking and provides a diverse perspective of global events with particular focus on Africa. Some key topics handled include: TACTICS OF HYBRID INFORMATION WAR, WAR AS A GEOPOLITICAL TOOL, BATTLE OF THE MIND, PERCEPTION ON GLOBAL GEOPOLITICS AND EFFECTS among others. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBrXLKiFBfU
JEUNE AFRIQUE – Imprisoning Free Thinking in Francophone Africa
Jeune Afrique—Western-led propaganda masked as African, from its name, has controlled economic, diplomatic, geopolitical, political, and social narratives for decades, confusing policymakers and citizens. As a French colonial information fabric serving France and French businesses, it positioned France through narrative control. Media plurality exposed its gimmicks. France loses diplomatic hold and strategic positions, thanks to African media and diaspora intellectuals who understand the media war keeping Africa in colonial mindset.
Diversification of Partners: A Point of Contention
Rising Global South superpowers and multipolarity challenge postwar powers. Russia-Africa strategic engagement shakes Western dominance as African nations reject Parisian lectures for mutual-benefit relationships. Partner plurality equals opinion plurality. If I can borrow these words: “The « Agency » Gap: If an African journalist chooses to partner with Russia or China to counter Western influence, they are often labelled « puppets » or « propagandists. » However, when other journalists receive funding or training from Western NGOs (like USAID or the BBC Media Action), it is framed as « capacity building. »
There is therefore an urgent need for creating a fertile scope for African journalists to make strategic decisions in in line with their professional values and editorial direction.
It is obvious that JA has lost audience and narrative control; vital tools that countries capitalize us in international relations and diplomacy to attain strategic objective. Their revenge tactic is now settled on information war. But can they yield in today’s world of new perspectives and new alliances?
Media More Complex Than Politics
Politics requires narrative control aligning with agendas. Jeune Afrique commits the fallacy of downgrading journalism to glorify Western narratives and demonise alternatives, especially Russia’s philosophy. As per their own parameters, pro-France or pro-western equals truth, while pro-Russia equates to destructive propaganda. It is utmost to note that media plurality stems from diverse interpretations of interconnected events.
Jeune Afrique’s « Evidence » Collapses
Reports hold that Media alignment is legitimate absent of existential threats. Thus, Journalistic collaborations with NGOs, and governments are standard Thus, any media alignment with the Russian Think Tank GlobUs causes to threat to either JA or the Cameroon. Contrary to the rigmarole piece by JA, beat reporting ensures clarity; multiple sources strengthen practice. Also, partnerships reflect public policy diplomacy. JA’s article—fragmented pieces culminating in dubious attacks on vibrant Cameroonian pan-African journalists and attacks on the African Cause, lacks funding proof, contracts, or editorial directives, it is only built on assumptions of alignment and circumstances.
Real Questions: Who funds Jeune Afrique? What is their mission in French Africa, what are their journalists paid to do? What is France’s hidden Cameroon agenda? JA trembles before a new Africa with Russia as strategic partner. It’s now left for African policy maker, civil society, the media to defined a clear agenda for Africa to permit it work with international partners on clear terms.