IFJ Calls to Lift Suspension of Radio in Cameroon

The International Federation of Journalists (FIJ) has called today to lift the suspension meted to Sky One, a private radio station broadcasting from Yaoundé, capital of Cameroon.

“The suspension of the radio is disproportionate, more especially that this programme for the past two years has done nothing but only allowing citizens to voice their points of view in the public debates” declared Gabriel Baglo, Director of IFJ Africa Office.

On Monday August 17, 2009, the Minister of Communication Mr. Issa Tchiroma Bakary said at the national radio that the decision was taken to close “temporarily” Sky One radio for many professional misconducts in particular in the large audience programme “Le tribunal” presented by Mr. Djival Ebale who is accused of replacing the justice and the ministry of social affairs to regulate social problems.

In the opinion of presenter, the programme which has been broadcast for nearly two years deals with only recurring problems in Cameroon by calling on citizens to voice their problems and to seek solutions.

IFJ calls on the Cameroonian authorities to lift the suspension and to find a solution through self-regulation which reinforces press freedom and freedom of expression.

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The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 123 countries worldwide