(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 22 April 2003 letter to President Paul Biya, CPJ expressed great concern over the deteriorating press freedom climate in Cameroon following the detention of three journalists from Cameroon’s only independent daily, “Mutations”, and the closure of the private radio station Magic FM. On 13 April, the Société de presse et d’édition […]
(CPJ/IFEX) – In a 22 April 2003 letter to President Paul Biya, CPJ expressed great concern over the deteriorating press freedom climate in Cameroon following the detention of three journalists from Cameroon’s only independent daily, “Mutations”, and the closure of the private radio station Magic FM.
On 13 April, the Société de presse et d’édition du Cameroun (Sopécam), a state-owned printing press, refused to publish the Monday 14 April edition of the Yaoundé-based “Mutations”. Police later seized the computer disk containing that edition of the paper and detained two of the printer’s employees for questioning.
Local sources said that the seizure of the disk was prompted by an extensive report on President Biya’s succession titled, “After Biya: The Uncertainties of the End of His Rule,” which was to appear in Monday’s edition. The report discussed the possible political and ethnic turmoil that could ensue in the event of Biya’s retirement.
On 14 April, police went to “Mutations”‘ offices and detained the newspaper’s publisher, Haman Mana. Mana was released later that night and was told to return to the station the next day with the journalists who were responsible for the article.
On 15 April, Mana, editor-in-chief Alain Blaise Batongué and editor Emmanuel Gustave Samnick reported to the police station. The three were detained all day, questioned about the article, and released early that evening, journalists at “Mutations” said.
The newspaper was unable to publish on 14 and 15 April. When officials found that “Mutations”‘ 16 April edition contained the same report, police began seizing copies of the paper from vendors as it appeared on the streets.
The harassment of the “Mutations” journalists follows the mid-March closure of the private radio station Magic FM. Authorities accuse the broadcaster of “insulting the president and state institutions”, disseminating “false information”, “calling for sedition” and “disturbing moral standards”. Journalists in Yaoundé said that in the weeks before the station was shuttered, Magic FM had broadcast political debates and call-in shows during which listeners criticized President Biya’s frequent trips abroad, his appointment of government officials to multiple posts, and government corruption.
In February, the government suspended the operation of two local television networks, RTA and Canal 2. Authorities claimed that the suspensions were for licensing violations, because the networks were only allowed to broadcast foreign-produced programs and had begun airing locally produced shows instead. Cameroonian journalists told CPJ they believe the licensing requirement was a pretext, and that the suspensions were related to the political nature of the local shows that the networks had broadcast.
The censorship of these news outlets, which are reporting on matters of legitimate public concern, and the harassment of journalists who are merely doing their jobs, is alarming, said CPJ. Although presidential elections are a year away, political activity is increasing. This trend of silencing any media that carry criticism of President Biya seems designed to intimidate the press and to stifle political debate.
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the president:
– calling on him to do everything in his power to see that authorities cease harassing journalists in reprisal for their work
– urging him to allow Magic FM to restart broadcasts immediately
Appeals To
President Paul Biya
Palais de L’Unité
Yaoundé, Cameroon
Fax: +237 233 022Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
