Media suppression in Cameroon continues to escalate, with journalists facing increasing persecution, imprisonment, and censorship. Investigative journalism often challenges those in power, exposing corruption and governance failures. As a result, many governments suppress dissent through arrests and legal intimidation.
According to a recent Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ) report, authorities surged journalist imprisonments in 2024. Governments jailed more than 100 journalists globally, with African countries like Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, and Cameroon ranking among the worst offenders. Officials often justify these arrests using vague charges such as terrorism, incitement, and spreading false information. Over 60% of detained journalists face broad anti-state accusations intended to silence independent voices.
In Cameroon, authorities have intensified their crackdown on journalists, particularly those covering the ongoing Anglophone crisis. The conflict, which began in 2016, has caused thousands of deaths and mass displacement. Security forces frequently detain and harass reporters who document military actions or human rights abuses. The CPJ ranks Cameroon among Africa’s top five jailers of journalists, with at least five media professionals imprisoned in 2024 alone.
Several high-profile cases highlight the risks journalists face. Security forces arrested Samuel Wazizi in 2019 for reporting on the Anglophone crisis. For months, officials concealed his whereabouts. In 2020, they disclosed that he had died in custody, allegedly due to torture. Another journalist, Ahmed Abba, was detained in 2015 and sentenced to 10 years for allegedly failing to report acts of terrorism. International pressure eventually led to his release after serving two years.
More recently, the murder of Martinez Zogo in early 2023 sent shockwaves through the press community. Zogo, an investigative journalist, exposed corruption within the government before unidentified individuals abducted and later killed him. His case underscored the extreme dangers reporters in Cameroon face, where threats and violent reprisals occur frequently.
The persecution of journalists extends beyond Cameroon. Egypt led Africa in journalist imprisonments in 2024, with authorities jailing 17 reporters. Eritrea followed closely, detaining 16 journalists, some of whom remain incommunicado since the early 2000s. Ethiopia, Burundi, and Rwanda also made the list, underscoring a broader trend of media suppression across the continent.
Ranking of African Nations by Jailed Journalists in 2024:
| Rank | Country | Jailed Journalists |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Egypt | 17 |
| 2 | Eritrea | 16 |
| 3 | Ethiopia | 6 |
| 4 | Burundi | 6 |
| 5 | Cameroon | 5 |
| 6 | Tunisia | 5 |
| 7 | Rwanda | 5 |
| 8 | Nigeria | 4 |
| 9 | Senegal | 1 |
Despite global condemnation, press freedom remains under siege. The CPJ warns that increased attacks on journalists often precede broader crackdowns on civil liberties. A free press ensures accountability and democracy, yet many African governments continue targeting those who seek to expose the truth.
The international community continues urging reforms to protect journalists. Advocacy groups demand the release of imprisoned reporters, revisions of restrictive media laws, and the upholding of free expression. Without significant changes, journalists in Cameroon and across Africa will remain at risk, and press freedom will continue deteriorating.
