(RSF/IFEX) – On 10 January 2005, Jules Koum Koum, the editor of the twice-monthly privately-owned newspaper “Le Jeune Observateur”, was sentenced to six months in prison with no parole for defamation in an article questioning the management of two insurance companies. Koum has been held in New Bell prison, in the country’s business capital, Douala, […]
(RSF/IFEX) – On 10 January 2005, Jules Koum Koum, the editor of the twice-monthly privately-owned newspaper “Le Jeune Observateur”, was sentenced to six months in prison with no parole for defamation in an article questioning the management of two insurance companies. Koum has been held in New Bell prison, in the country’s business capital, Douala, since the sentence was handed down.
“Imposing a prison sentence on a journalist for libel represents a clear step backwards for press freedom in Cameroon. Far from being a crime, reporting that certain companies are not functioning properly falls under a journalist’s duty to inform the public,” RSF stressed, while endorsing a call for a “Day Without News” on 21 January, issued by a Koum support committee.
“It is time the Cameroonian government stopped targeting the independent press and heeded calls by journalists for the decriminalisation of press offences,” the organisation said, adding, “If [the government] really wants to prove its support for press freedom, it should follow the example set in this regard by countries such as Togo, the Central African Republic and Uganda.”
Koum was convicted of libel as a result of an action brought by the CPA insurance company over an article he published on 8 February 2004, in which he challenged the integrity and management of CPA and Satellite, another insurance company. Sources claim the judge in charge of the case is related to a CPA executive.
Koum’s conviction has outraged the independent press, which formed a Koum support committee on the initiative of “L’Aurore Plus” managing editor Michel Michaut Moussala. Committee members also include “Le Front” managing editor Peter William Mandio, “Habeas Corpus” managing editor Samuel Mben Mben and Nyemb Popoli, who edits a satirical newspaper. The “Day Without News” campaign was announced for 21 January, when radio stations will only play music in the morning.
Moussala and Cameroon Union of Journalists President Célestin Lingo went to see Communications Minister Jacques Fame Ndong on the afternoon of 19 January, but the minister refused to meet with them. They plan to return to his office on 24 January.
