UN Scribe says threats to freedom of Journalists growing by the day

By M.K

The United Nations Secretary-General, Antonio Guterres has bemoaned the continuous persecution suffered by Journalists around the world.

He was speaking today on the occasion of World Press Freedom Day.

Observed under the theme “Journalism Under Digital Siege,” the UN SG mentioned that the pressman has been a target of political upheavals in different parts of the world.

With the world currently battling the effects of the Covid-19, the UN scribe said in a televised speech that “…The threats to the freedom of Journalists and media workers are growing by the day…”

In another statement which is very particular to the media landscape in Cameroon, the UN Secretary-General said “…media workers in war zones are not only threatened by bombs and bullets, but by falsification and disinformation that accompany modern warfare.”

He added that “…They may be attacked as the enemy, accused of espionage, detained or killed simply for doing their jobs.”

As quoted by the UN Secretary-General, several journalists in Cameroon have suffered violent repression from the state, especially within the context of the Anglophone crisis.

The most notable of these examples is that of deceased Journalists Samuel Wazizi, tortured and killed by defense forces after getting arrested in the South West Region and accused of complicity with Separatists.

Other examples include Njoka Kingsley, and Mimi Mefo Takambou, arrested and detained after carrying out an exclusive investigation after the assasination of an American missionary in Bamenda, North West Region.

Mimi Mefo Infos