(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has condemned the government’s shutdown of Radio Veritas, a station founded and run by Cardinal Christian Tumi, a leading critic of President Paul Biya. “We do not understand how, in the space of a few weeks, some stations have been allotted frequencies while this one has been closed down,” said the organisation’s […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has condemned the government’s shutdown of Radio Veritas, a station founded and run by Cardinal Christian Tumi, a leading critic of President Paul Biya.
“We do not understand how, in the space of a few weeks, some stations have been allotted frequencies while this one has been closed down,” said the organisation’s secretary-general, Robert Ménard.
“Veritas and Freedom FM, set up by the Le Messager media group, have been banned because of their criticism, despite the government’s technical and legal explanations. We fear the situation will get worse as next year’s presidential election approaches,” Ménard added.
Veritas, which went off the air on 15 November 2003, one day after being banned by the Communications Ministry, had been test-broadcasting in Douala, the country’s main city, for two weeks.
Radio Freedom, founded by Le Messager press group director Pius Njawé, was banned in May. Police put the station’s equipment under seal on the eve of its inauguration. Njawé pursued legal action to get the ban lifted, but Communications Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo counter-sued in mid-October, charging that Njawé had set up the station without permission. He asked the court to officially seize Freedom FM’s equipment and fine Njawé.
