(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has protested the state printing house’s (Société de presse et d’édition du Cameroun, SOPECAM) refusal to publish the newspaper “Mutations”, which is the country’s only private daily. “We are witnessing a return to prior censorship. SOPECAM’s decision proves that the authorities continue to control the news sector and that censorship has not […]
(RSF/IFEX) – RSF has protested the state printing house’s (Société de presse et d’édition du Cameroun, SOPECAM) refusal to publish the newspaper “Mutations”, which is the country’s only private daily.
“We are witnessing a return to prior censorship. SOPECAM’s decision proves that the authorities continue to control the news sector and that censorship has not been completely abolished in the country,” said RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard. “Cameroon’s press freedom situation markedly improved in 2002, but the situation has seriously deteriorated over the past few months. The presidential election slated for next year is clearly responsible in part for the present situation,” he added.
During the night of 13 April 2003, the computer disk containing the next day’s issue of the newspaper “Mutations” was seized by police officers at SOPECAM’s offices. The state printing house’s director, Marie-Claire Nnana, explained that according to the 1990 press law, SOPECAM is held responsible for violations committed via the press. In the 17 April editorial of the government daily “Cameroon Tribune”, Nnana added, “We have a responsibility to defend our interests.” Nnana is also editor of the government paper.
On 15 April, “Mutations” editor Haman Mana was arrested for questioning and detained for several hours along with two of the paper’s staff members. Mana told RSF that “Mutations” would henceforth be published by a private printing firm. The editor did not wish to name the printer “for security reasons.” The paper’s 17 April issue was published without incident.
The 14 April issue of “Mutations” (available on the website www.quotidienmutations.net) contained an in-depth report on President Paul Biya’s succession. The paper’s front-page headline was “After Biya: the uncertainties of an era that is ending”. Shortly before his arrest, Mana told Agence France-Presse that the report appeared to be the reason for the seizure.
The next presidential election in Cameroon will be held in 2004. President Biya, who has ruled since 1982, has not yet said whether he will seek re-election.
