JOURNALISTS in Cameroon are grappling with a new government directive that prohibits public discourse or media coverage of President Paul Biya’s health. The ban, issued on October 9 by Minister of Territorial Administration Paul Atanga Nji, follows growing speculation surrounding the 91-year-old president’s prolonged absence from the public eye. The directive has placed Cameroon’s media in a difficult position, forcing journalists to choose between adhering to the ban or risking retaliation for reporting on issues of public interest.
The decision has divided Cameroon’s press, with some journalists choosing to defy the ban while others are exercising caution. Moki Edwin Kindzeka, a reporter for Voice of America (VOA), noted, ‘Some have ignored the ban and continued reporting on President Paul Biya’s long absence, while others are scared and have remained silent.’ He added that authorities are closely monitoring media coverage, increasing pressure on journalists to self-censor.
Freelance journalist Emmanuel Jules Ntap echoed these sentiments, stating that many media organisations are taking a more cautious approach. ‘Journalists are scared, and media outlets are being careful. No one is talking about the health of the president,’ Ntap explained, highlighting what some critics are describing as widespread self-censorship.
International press freedom groups have condemned the ban, with Reporters Without Borders labelling it an ‘act of intimidation and censorship.’ The Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) also voiced concerns, with Africa Programme Coordinator Angela Quintal criticising the government’s use of national security as a pretext for censorship. ‘It’s a common tactic for governments to suppress media by claiming national security concerns. The international media has been more vocal in reporting on the ban than local outlets, which speaks volumes about the pressure faced by Cameroonian journalists,’ Quintal told VOA.
This ban marks the latest in a series of crackdowns on press freedom in Cameroon. The country has a well-documented history of media suppression, with journalists facing threats, imprisonment, and even death for covering politically sensitive topics. The case of Samuel Wazizi, a journalist who died in government custody in 2018, and the 2023 murder of Martinez Zogo, a journalist known for exposing corruption, are stark reminders of the dangers faced by the press.
Mimi Mefo Newuh, a Cameroonian journalist now exiled in Europe, expressed concerns about the government’s use of anti-terrorism legislation to target journalists. ‘By linking this ban to national security, the government is essentially saying that anyone who talks about the president’s health could face terrorism charges. I know firsthand the consequences, having faced similar threats before going into exile,’ she said.
The directive has not only silenced the media but has also led to ordinary Cameroonians refraining from discussing Biya’s health on social media platforms. Mefo added that many media programmes have shifted focus to avoid discussing the president’s absence. ‘While this is the main topic of interest, programmes are focusing on anything but the president’s health,’ she said.
The situation reflects a wider issue of press suppression in Cameroon, where journalists routinely face threats for addressing politically sensitive matters. As the country approaches elections, the ban on covering Biya’s health raises questions about transparency and the role of the media in holding power to account.
Angela Quintal of CPJ warned that the government’s move could backfire. ‘By issuing the ban, the government has only fuelled speculation, turning it into a story of international interest,’ she said. As local media continues to navigate these challenges, many are left wondering where the president is and whether he is fit to continue leading the country.
