CPJ ranking gives ‘bleak hope’ for Cameroon journalists

As the year comes to a close, some Cameroonian families will be marking the end of year festivities without some of theirs who are journalists.

One of these is the family of late Samuel Wazizi, pidgin newscaster in Buea, South West region. He died in custody months back and till date his corpse is yet to be seen.

His case and those of several others has been highlighted by the Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ which has in a latest ranking named Cameroon the second worst jailer of journalists in sub-Saharan Africa.

Noting that it was the same for the third consecutive year, the CPJ ranking revealed that some 8 journalists are currently behind bars in Cameroon for aspects related to their work, an increase from 6 same time last year.

The Committee described the ranking as shameful for Cameroon, a state which has been talking about national unity and liberalism.

Among other pressmen jailed in Cameroon are Kingsley Njoka abducted and detained incommunicado for weeks before being officially charged.

Paul Chouta, a web journalist is another victim who has been behind bars for several months, though his accuser has stopped showing up in court.

Going by the same ranking, Egypt was named the third worst jailer of journalists globally, with 27 behind bars. It comes after China with 47 and Turkey with 37 pressmen behind bars.

While 67% of all detained journalists worldwide are facing anti-state charges, CPJ revealed that 27% of the detained have health problems.

Mimi Mefo Info