Cameroon

New York, July 8, 2008--Cameroonian authorities have lifted a ban on three private broadcasters summarily closed in connection with their critical coverage in February, but police are withholding equipment seized from one station, according to local journalists and news reports.

New York, June 2, 2008—The Committee to Protect Journalists today called for a thorough and transparent investigation into a scuffle Friday between members of Cameroon’s soccer team and journalists following a pre-game press conference. Cameroon’s star striker Samuel Eto'o allegedly assaulted a reporter during the incident, according to local journalists and news reports. 

Philippe Boney, a reporter for the private Radio Tiéméni Siantou, said he suffered a broken left arm in Friday’s altercation and has been placed on six-week medical leave. Speaking to CPJ today from his home in the capital, Yaoundé, Boney said that he was still suffering from pain in his arm and his teeth. He said he had filed a police complaint against Eto’o, who is also a star for the FC Barcelona club.

MARCH 3, 2008
Posted March 28, 2008

Jacques Blaise Mvié, La Nouvelle PresseKIDNAPPED

Director Jacques Blaise Mvié of the private weekly La Nouvelle Presse told CPJ an unidentified man in plain clothes jumped from a gray Toyota Prado 4 x 4 and forced him at gunpoint in the car as he was walking away from his residence before noon. The man and three other kidnappers threw the journalist face down on the back seatwell of the vehicle and drove him to an unknown location, Mvié said.

MARCH 3, 2008
Posted March 28, 2008

Jacques Blaise Mvié, La Nouvelle PresseKIDNAPPED

Director Jacques Blaise Mvié of the private weekly La Nouvelle Presse told CPJ an unidentified man in plain clothes jumped from a gray Toyota Prado 4 x 4 and forced him at gunpoint in the car as he was walking away from his residence before noon. The man and three other kidnappers threw the journalist face down on the back seatwell of the vehicle and drove him to an unknown location, Mvié said.

New York, February 28, 2008—Police in the capital, Yaoundé, today forced a popular radio station off the air and confiscated its equipment over commentary critical of the government during a call-in program, according to local journalists. Magic FM is the third broadcaster summarily closed by authorities within a week in response to critical coverage of public demonstrations fueled by a rise in prices and President Paul Biya’s bid to seek another term in office, according to CPJ research.

New York, February 22, 2008—Cameroon’s government summarily closed on Thursday a leading private television station on alleged regulatory violations, according to local journalists and news reports. The station in Douala was distinguished for its leading coverage of a national debate over a bid by President Paul Biya to scrap a constitutional clause that limits presidential terms.

Two police commanders backed by a squad of riot police forced Equinoxe Télévision off the air at 3 p.m. local time and sealed its studios, the station’s editor in chief, Albert Yondjeu, told CPJ. Police gave the station a copy of an order from Communications Minister Jean-Pierre Biyiti Bi Essam that had been read exclusively on state radio and television. The order stated that the station was operating illegally because it had not paid a 100 million CFA francs (US$227,000) broadcast licensing fee, according to Equinoxe Director General Séverin Tchounkeu.  

Journalists detained during investigative reporting

FEBRUARY 10, 2008
Posted February 27, 2008
Jean Bosco Talla, Le FrontIMPRISONED, LEGAL
Hervé Kemete, Le FrontHARASSED, LEGAL