Cameroon journalists mark Press Freedom Day in protests

Written by The Standard Tribune

Monday, 03 May 2010 16:59

Press_Fredom_Demonstration_3_May_2010_002_copy YAOUNDE—Hundreds of journalists took to the streets in at least three Cameroon cities Monday to protest surging press attacks in the country.

Journalists used the 2010 World Press Freedom day to express their anger following the death of a colleague in jail last month.

Press attacks have been increasing since 2006 and Cameroon is currently rated by Committee to Protect Journalists as the second worst jailer in Africa.

Armed security forces were deployed outside the Prime Minister’s office in Yaounde where a sit-in was planned long before protesters arrived.

A human wall was built around hundreds of journalists outside Hilton Hotel and police and gendarmes used force to prevent them reaching the Star Building.

Several journalists sustained minor injuries while others were left with torn clothes in skirmishes with the security forces.

In Douala and Kumba, security forces also prevented demonstrations, confiscating placards and banners.

The protests were called by the Cameroon Union of Journalists, CUJ.

“We came to sit quietly in honour of our departed colleague who died under very spurious circumstances,” said Charly Ndi Chia, president of CUJ.

“When we came here what did we meet? Policemen that are armed to the teeth, and they sought to treat us as they treated our colleague Ngota” he said, addressing more than 200 journalists in the capital.

“We are not interested in fighting with the police or the government. We are interested in doing our job. Let them leave us alone to do our job.”

Bibi Ngota, publisher of Cameroun Express died at the Kondengui prison last month after months in detention without trial. Press_Fredom_Demonstration_3_May_2010_024