Cameroon journalists are observing press freedom day against the backdrop of what they describe as a persistent crackdown on media outlets and journalists.
Last year, at least 20 media organizations and journalists were either suspended or barred from the profession.
Peter Essoka, vice president of Cameroon’s Communication Council, said they suspended the media outlets in line with the main objective of the council, which is to regulate the practice of journalism in Cameroon. He said the decisions were based on media offense complaints filed by Cameroonians.
“There is not a single case that we have taken a decision in which the people concerned are not summoned to the council. When a complaint comes to us, we summon the people on whom the complaint has been made to come and explain and probably defend themselves, so we have no discrimination whatsoever. Everybody who is concerned about any sanctions we have given has been summoned to the council for discussion,” he said.
According to Journalist Kini Nsom of the Post newspaper, the main problem in Cameroon is the proliferation of newspapers, which he said is in no way an indication of press freedom.
Cameroon has more than 500 newspapers and 100 radio and television stations. Journalists said most of the media outfits were created by the government to give the impression there is press freedom in the country led by President Paul Biya, the world’s sixth-longest serving leader.
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