cameroon: Communications Ministry prohibits launch of private radio station
The offices of Freedom FM, a Douala-based private radio station, were surrounded by police officers on 23 May 2003 after Communications Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo ordered the station's closure, accusing it of operating illegally. Prior to the police action, the station had been expected to launch on 24 May.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - CAMEROON
27 May 2003
Communications Ministry prohibits launch of private radio station
SOURCE: Reporters sans frontières (RSF), Paris
(RSF/IFEX) - On 23 May 2003, in the afternoon, the offices of Freedom FM, a
Douala-based private radio station, were surrounded by police officers.
Communications Minister Jacques Fame Ndongo ordered the station's closure,
accusing it of operating illegally. Prior to the police action, the station
had been expected to launch on 24 May.
In a letter to the communications minister, RSF protested against "this
unwarranted measure, which represents a serious attack on press freedom and
information pluralism in Cameroon." RSF Secretary-General Robert Ménard
said, "the authorities understand the particular importance of radio, since
it is the media by which the majority of citizens are informed."
"The government's move is little more than a pretext to prevent citizens
from drawing up an even-handed assessment of President Paul Biya's
government, with a presidential election expected in 2004," Ménard added.
The organisation has previously expressed concern about measures recently
introduced by the authorities targeting audio-visual media outlets. Two
private television stations, RTA and Canal 2, were closed on 19 February
(see IFEX alerts of 24 April and 17 March 2003). Although the country's laws
provide for privately-owned broadcast media, the government ignores requests
from broadcasters for authorisation, forcing them to operate illegally.
RSF asked the authorities to take the necessary steps to regulate the status
of all broadcast media and, in particular, to allow Freedom FM to operate
without obstruction.
In a 23 May statement, Communications Minister Ndongo said Freedom FM's
closure had been carried out, "in accordance with the regulations in place,
[and] puts an end to a flagrant and obvious example of illegal
broadcasting." The minister claimed the station had never applied for an
operating licence. Pius Njawé, Freedom FM's manager and director of Le
Messager media group, told RSF that contrary to Ndongo's claim, he had in
fact applied for a licence. "It's a lie. We completed all the formalities.
The ministry even sent technicians to inspect our equipment," he said.
For further information, contact Jean-François Julliard at RSF, rue Geoffroy
Marie, Paris 75009, France, tel: +33 1 44 83 84 84, fax: +33 1 45 23 11 51,
e-mail: [email protected], Internet: http://www.rsf.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of RSF.
In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit RSF.
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