By David Atangana
The Committee to Protect Journalists, CPJ, a media watchdog based in New York, says the Cameroon Government is orchestrating a massive crackdown on media houses and journalists ahead of the country’s presidential elections next year.
In a recent report, CPJ says journalists and media organs are facing physical attacks from unknown quarters, arrests, threats, prosecution and administrative sanctions from the National Communication Council, NCC, whose actions have been described by media practitioners as ‘weaponized’.
“Attacks on the press have escalated as Cameroon prepares for elections in 2025 that could see Biya — one of the world’s longest serving presidents — win another seven-year term,” CPJ wrote.
“Tensions have been exacerbated by the delay of parliamentary and local elections until 2026, which Biya’s opponents fear will strengthen his hand in the presidential vote,” the organization adds.
NCC Sanctions
Several media organs and journalists, according to the CPJ, were sanctioned by the NCC recently.
In August this year, Equinoxe Télévision, a privately owned TV station broadcasting from Douala, had its flagship program, ‘Droit de Reponse’, suspended alongside its presenter Duval Fangwa.
They were suspended for a month after being deemed to have harmed the reputations of two government ministers.
The NCC swiftly banned “Le Débat 237,” a replacement of the Sunday show, as well.
Again on August 8, CPJ noted, NCC’s sledge hammer fell on privately-owned newspaper, Première Heure, its reporter Alain Balomlog, and publishing director, Jeremy Baloko.
They were suspended for one month for failing to “cross-check and balance” allegations of mismanagement by the regional agriculture delegate, Jean Claude Konde.
RIS radio, on the other hand, was not spared after an NCC decision of August 8.
On August 13, the police sealed its doors to suspend broadcasting and to stop the station manager, Sismondi Barlev Bidjocka, from practicing journalism.
The station and its manager were given a six-month suspension for airing “unfounded and offensive statements” about the powerful Ferdinand Ngoh Ngoh, Secretary General at the Presidency, on July 22.
Journalists Condemn Gov’t Crackdown
These sanctions have been condemned by journalist trade union leaders in Cameroon.
“The reduction of freedom of expression and the media has begun. Journalists are censoring themselves under the instructions of their bosses or editors,” said Marion Obam, president of the National Union of Journalists of Cameroon.
“We are going through a difficult period,” said François Mboke, president of the Network of Press Owners of Cameroon (REPAC).
“There are risks for those who want to remain professional.”
NCC spokesperson, Denis Mbezele, however, told CPJ that the regulator’s sanctions were to remind the media to act responsibly.
Threats and Physical Attacks
While grappling with NCC sanctions, media practitioners in Cameroon have been facing physical attacks and threats for doing their job.
Emmanuel Ekouli, editor of La Void du Centre, is amongst journalists physically targeted.
On August 22, he was beaten by three men on a motorcycle in Yaoundé, who stole his laptop, phone, and recording equipment.
He was similarly attacked by three men on a motorcycle on July 9.
Ekouli has received threats over his journalism and work with the press freedom organization, Reporters Without Borders, investigating the 2023 murder of journalist Martinez Zogo.
La Voix du Centre reporter, Guy Modeste Dzudie, told CPJ that he and Ekouli had also received threatening calls and messages over a June report on corruption in an inheritance case.
Arrest and Prosecution
The crackdown on press freedom has also seen some journalists arrested with others slammed jail terms.
On September 4 ,Police arrested Le Zénith reporter, Stéphane Nguema Zambo, while he was attending an appointment related to his investigation into embezzlement in the Ministry of Secondary Education.
Zambo was threatened and coerced into publishing a Facebook post recanting his findings before being released on September 6.
On the other hand, Amadou Vamoulké, former managing director of the state-owned Cameroon Radio and Television, was, on August 28, sentenced to 20 years in prison for embezzlement.
The 73-year-old has been jailed since 2016 and was given a 12-year sentence in 2022 on a separate embezzlement charge. CPJ described the sentencings as “reprisal for his journalistic independence in the face of government directives.”
