Cameroonian journalist Mimi Mefo Newuh has been awarded the Excellence in International Journalism and Human Rights Award by the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Texas Tech University. This prestigious award acknowledges her unwavering dedication to exposing human rights abuses, political repression, and press censorship in Cameroon, often at great personal risk.
The award was sponsored by the Texas Tech University School of Journalism, the Vice Provost for International Affairs, the Dean’s Office, the Harris Institute for Hispanic and International Studies and the William S. Morris Endowed Professorship
Speaking at the ceremony, Mimi Mefo captivated the audience with a narrative account of her journey as an independent journalist operating under an authoritarian regime.
“As a journalist, I’ve had to ask a lot of tough questions. But one thing I’ve learned? The hardest question for a government official is often the simplest one: ‘What happened?’”
The Dangerous Reality of Reporting in Cameroon
Mimi Mefo’s journalism career has been shaped by the ongoing Anglophone crisis in Cameroon. This is a conflict that began with peaceful protests by teachers and lawyers in 2016 but spiralled into a brutal separatist war. She highlighted the government’s authoritarian response to dissent as the cause of the degeneration.
“The crisis in Cameroon didn’t begin with war. It began with words. With teachers and lawyers asking for their rights… What should have been a conversation became a confrontation,” she said.
Her investigative reporting has uncovered stories that mainstream media in Cameroon often avoid due to fear of government retaliation. Through her independent news platform, Mimi Mefo Info (MMI), she has defied state censorship to expose military atrocities, separatist violence, and the suppression of press freedom.
However, her courage has come at a price. In 2018, she was arrested and detained in Douala’s notorious New Bell Prison after reporting on the killing of American missionary Charles Trumann Wesco.
“The question was, Who killed him? The government said separatists. But local sources, including the Cameroon News Agency (CNA), reported that he had been shot by Cameroonian soldiers. I tweeted about it, quoting CNA and referencing a similar case—a Ghanaian pastor killed earlier by the military,” Mimi Mefo said.
“That tweet got me arrested.”
She described how she was charged with ‘publishing false information’ and ‘undermining state security’. This is because she cited eyewitness reports that contradicted the government’s version of events.
She further emphasised the extreme judicial measures used against her and other journalists.
“Under the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights, civilians should not be tried in military courts,” she said. “But in Cameroon, journalists are treated like soldiers in combat. Sadly for us, we only carry pens, cameras, and microphones.”
International Solidarity and Press Freedom
Mimi Mefo’s arrest sparked national and international outrage, triggering a widespread campaign for her release.
“The hashtag #FreeMimiMefo started trending. My picture was everywhere. People changed their profile pictures to support me. Social media was flooded with demands for my release,” she recalled.
Under mounting pressure from human rights organisations such as the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), Reporters Without Borders (RSF), and the Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative (CHRI), she was released after a direct intervention from President Paul Biya himself.
Despite her release, Mimi Mefo remains a target. She continues to face online abuse, state surveillance, and personal attacks from both the government and separatist groups.
“For some, truth is only acceptable when it serves their agenda. But journalism is about truth, not convenience,” she said.
Journalism in Cameroon: A Life-and-Death Profession
Mimi Mefo used her platform at Texas Tech University to shed light on the plight of journalists in Cameroon, many of whom have faced imprisonment, exile, or even assassination. She honoured those who paid the ultimate price for truth, including Samuel Wazizi, who was tortured and killed in military custody, Martinez Zogo, who was kidnapped and murdered; and Anye Nde Nsoh, who was assassinated.
“Their stories remind us that in Cameroon, journalism is a life-or-death profession,” she said.
The challenges, however, are not only physical. She detailed the financial struggles faced by independent media, stating that maintaining credibility and autonomy means operating without government or corporate sponsorship.
“If we lose the right to report, the world loses the right to know,” she told the audience.
Carrying the Torch for Press Freedom
Despite the dangers, Mimi Mefo remains committed to her mission. Her platform, MMI, continues to break exclusive stories, provide live coverage of key events, and serve as a voice for the voiceless. The organisation has received support from institutions like the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF). They have provided security training for journalists, and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ), which has consistently advocated for their safety. Additionally, some members of META have taken action against online abuse targeting Mefo and her colleagues.
Beyond Cameroon, her work is making an impact internationally. MMI recently covered the UN Committee on Torture Review in Switzerland, providing exclusive interviews with UN officials and Cameroonian representatives, as well as documenting the testimony of a torture survivor. The organisation is also a media partner in the Cameroon International Audiovisual Fair (SINAC 25) and was represented at the African Union CIEFFA’s media capacity-building session in Kenya.
A Call to Action
Mimi Mefo ended her speech with a powerful message, urging the global community to stand up for press freedom.
“I am here today because people stood up for me. Because journalists, human rights activists, and ordinary citizens refused to be silent,” she said. “Now, I ask you to do the same for others.”
She also outlined concrete ways to help:
Supporting imprisoned journalists – Raise awareness and share their stories.
Spotlighting Cameroon’s press crisis – The world needs to know.
Supporting independent media – Outlets like MMI continue reporting despite the risks.
Lobbying policymakers – Governments and organisations must hold Cameroon accountable.
Honoring a Legacy
In closing, she paid tribute to Charles Trumann Wesco, whose tragic death was a catalyst for one of the most defining moments in her career.
“Charles Wesco came to Cameroon with a mission… Though his life was cut short, his impact did not end that day on the streets of Bamenda.”
Her words carried weight beyond journalism. She used the opportunity to remind us that truth has a cost but also an enduring power.
“His pursuit of a better world lives on in the journalists who refuse to be silenced, in the truth-tellers who risk everything to shed light on injustice. His family’s courage, their sacrifice, and their unwavering faith in doing good remind us that change is not measured only in years lived, but in lives touched.”
With her award in hand, Mimi Mefo Newuh’s work is far from over. If anything, it is just beginning.
“Journalism is not a crime. The truth should not be dangerous. And with your help, we can fight for a world where press freedom is a reality, not a privilege.”
