Press Freedom Day protest planned, more anger over journalist’s death in jail

Written by Eugene N. Nforngwa, The Standard Tribune

Thursday, 29 April 2010 11:31

YAOUNDE

Cameroon journalists are planning a peaceful demonstration outside the Prime Minister’s office to protest the death of publisher Germain Cyrille Ngota Ngota of Cameroun Express in jail last week

Thursday, there were more angry outbursts from media organisations following the death on Thursday, April 22, at the Kondengui prison of the journalist arrested with two others while investigating alleged corruption at the state-run National Hydrocarbons Corporation.

Hundreds of journalists will gather outside Star Building on World Press Freedom Day to express anger at the death and draw authorities’ attention to the manifold problems facing the Cameroon press, said the Cameroon Union of Journalists.

A prefectural permission for the manifestation was requested Thursday and followed a memorandum sent to the Prime Minister on 21 April. It is due to begin at 10 am on Monday, May 3.

Two other journalists arrested alongside Mr Ngota are still in jail. One of them is also believed to also be in very bad health condition. Media rights groups said Mr Ngota’s death was the result of poor medical care and alleged torture.

The Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) issued a statement Thursday, adding its voices to the scores of organisations from around the world that have been outraged by the death.

“His detention was a direct result of journalistic investigations relating to alleged corruption involving the state-owned oil company SNH,” said the president of CAMASEJ Tricia Oben in a statement.

“We are extremely disappointed and shocked by Bibi’s death and the conditions under which he and the other journalists were detained. Bibi was known to be in poor health but family sources apparently claim he did not receive medical treatment when he requested it.

“CAMASEJ along with other associations condemn such wanton arrests of journalists in the exercise of their profession. We overwhelmingly condemn torture as a means to force journalists to reveal their sources. No society can thrive without a free and independent press.

“We call on the government therefore to carry out a full investigation with immediate effect to examine and determine the circumstances of the arrest and detention of the journalists which resulted in this dreadful tragedy.

“We also demand that all cases against journalists currently going on be dropped with immediate effect as these cases are contrary to the head of state’s prescriptions of freedom of expression, freedom to work as journalists, the upholding of human rights and democratic principles which he stands steadfastly for.”

Cameroon has experienced a spiralling of attacks against journalists over the last years leading to the US media rights group Committee to Protect Journalists calling it the second worst jailer of journalists in Africa.

Authorities said a full investigation had been opened but the credibility of two autopsies carried out of the remains of Mr Ngota is now in tatters after relatives alleged they were prevented from taking part.