R 181002Z MAR 08
FM AMEMBASSY YAOUNDE
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 8713
INFO AFRICAN UNION COLLECTIVE 0119
HQ USAFRICOM STUTTGART GE
HQ USEUCOM VAIHINGEN GE

UNCLAS YAOUNDE 000266 
 
SIPDIS 
 
 
DEPT FOR ECA/A/S; AF/PD; AF/C; DRL/AA 
LONDON AND PARIS FOR AFRICA ACTION OFFICERS 
 
E.O. 12958: N/A 
TAGS: PGOV PHUM EAID KPAO OEXC OIIP SCUL SOCI OPRC CM
SUBJECT: CAMEROON PRESS FREEDOM AT RISK 
 
 
1.(U) Summary: This cable is an overview of progressive 
restrictions, over the last six months, imposed on press freedom in 
Cameroon and a read-out of government infringement of the laws 
regulating the media. 
 
 
CLOSING MEDIA OUTLETS CRITICAL OF THE GOVERNMENT 
 
2.(U) On February 21, Minister of Communication Jean Pierre Biyiti 
Bi Essam signed an order, read over state-run CRTV radio's early 
afternoon news bulletin, to close Equinoxe TV, a private television 
station operating out of Douala. The minister invoked "illegal 
broadcasting" as the reason for the measure. Equinoxe TV began 
broadcasting in April 2006. According the minister, Equinoxe was 
operating without an audiovisual license. On February 22, eight 
policemen entered the studio of sister station Radio Equinoxe to 
seal the premises of this popular Douala radio station.  The radio 
had begun broadcasting in March 2002. According to Embassy sources, 
Littoral Province Governor Francis Fai Yengo was behind the decision 
to close Radio Equinoxe. The two stations, which together employ 150 
people, belong to the same promoter, Severin Tchounkeu. 
 
3.(U) On February 28, according to the President and General Manager 
of another popular, private radio station and Voice of America 
affiliate, Magic FM, some 200 gendarmes and security forces entered 
Magic FM's Yaounde studio. The security deployment confiscated all 
broadcasting equipment. Since then, the authorities have continued 
to silence the station without any written notification or official 
reason. Ministry of Defense authorities informed Magic FM's 
representatives that the Minister of Communication considered the 
radio to be very critical of the Biya regime during an interactive 
program on the morning following President Paul Biya's February 27 
speech to the nation at the height of the recent civil unrest. The 
government reportedly did not appreciate that "Magic Attitude" 
call-in listeners voiced vehement criticism of the Head of State. As 
is the case for nearly every private television and radio stations 
currently operating in Cameroon, Magic FM lacks a government-issued 
audiovisual broadcasting license. Magic FM has 20 people on its 
payroll. Equinoxe TV, Radio Equinoxe, and Magic FM have an 
accumulation of unpaid fixed expenses with each passing day. 
 
¶4. (U) The sudden closures of three private audiovisual enterprises 
within almost a week has reduced the flow of information from 
independent sources and put a dent in aired public debate. Although 
the 2000 decree implementing the 1990 law on social communication, 
which liberalized the audiovisual sector in Cameroon, requires all 
private audiovisual structures to have licenses, the Ministry of 
Communication has granted only four thus far. All of these -- two 
television stations, one radio station, and a cable distributor - 
were granted in a single ceremony on August 30, 2007. Sixty other 
private radio and television stations in the country operate under 
administrative tolerance. By not granting licenses, the government 
retains the upper hand and has leverage over private audiovisual 
media, should the private media need to be reminded that program 
content critical to the regime will result in closure. 
 
 
IMPOSING SELF-CENSORSHIP THROUGH INTIMIDATION 
 
¶5. (U) This stepped-up repression of the media in Cameroon comes at 
a time when the debate against the revision of the Constitution is 
high in the minds of public opinion. The Government of Cameroon, in 
selective monitoring, is muzzling media houses that relay views 
opposed to the regime or that side with those not in favor of 
removing presidential term limits. Minister of Communication Biyiti 
Bi Essam regularly calls upon journalists to exercise caution when 
dealing with matters relating to the Cameroonian army and/or matters 
of sovereignty. For many media professionals, the minister is using 
code words that ultimately require the journalists' complicity and 
translate into self-censorship. He has requested that journalists 
not disclose any information critical of the regime. The crackdown 
on the media has brought with it true fear within the media 
community. Some media houses have suspended interactive call-in 
programming, and the determination to practice self-censorship is 
not precisely a choice. During the civil unrest, many journalists 
reported intimidation by anonymous callers and threat messages 
passed on through third parties. Since his appointment on September 
7, 2007, the Minister of Communication has monitored closely even 
the state-owned media to ensure that journalists report favorably on 
the government and avoid tarnishing the country's image. 
 
 
USG PUBLIC DIPLOMACY 
 
¶6. (U) The Embassy has pushed to have the summary measures 
responsible for closing the three audiovisual outlets reversed. 
Visiting Deputy Assistant Secretary James C. Swan, Ambassador Garvey 
and Information officer Judith Ravin have all gone on record as 
advocates for media pluralism, freedom of the press, and freedom of 
expression. Despite critical statements by Reporters without 
Borders, the Committee to Protect Journalists, and Freedom House, 
the government of Cameroon has made no significant progress toward 
restoring equipment or processing submitted license fees to permit 
these media organs to resume broadcasting and serve their 
communities. 
 
GARVEY