The suspension of Équinoxe TV’s “Droit de Réponse” underscores a broader crackdown on press freedom in Cameroon as the 2025 presidential election approaches. The National Communication Council (NCC) suspended the program and its presenter, Duval Fangwa, for one month, citing harm to the reputations of government ministers. When Équinoxe TV attempted to air a replacement show, “Le Débat 237,” the NCC swiftly banned it as well, viewing it as an attempt to circumvent the initial suspension .(Radio Free)
Journalists from Équinoxe TV have reported receiving death threats and facing potential arrest due to their work. One journalist stated, “Every day, when I leave my house, I know that the worst can happen,” highlighting the dangerous climate for media professionals .(Committee to Protect Journalists, Radio Free)
The NCC has also taken action against other media outlets. For instance, RIS Radio and its station manager were suspended for six months after airing statements deemed offensive to a government minister . Additionally, journalists like Emmanuel Ekouli have faced physical attacks, and former state media executive Amadou Vamoulké received a 20-year prison sentence, which the Committee to Protect Journalists views as retaliation for his resistance to political interference .(CRTV – Votre portail sur le Cameroun, Wikipedia)
These actions have drawn criticism from press freedom organizations. Reporters Without Borders condemned the suspensions as arbitrary and unjustified, calling them a serious violation of press freedom . The National Union of Journalists of Cameroon (SNJC) has also expressed concern over the increasing intimidation of journalists, including police summons and threats, which they view as efforts to silence dissenting voices .(Reporters Without Borders, Cameroon Concord)
Internationally, Cameroon has been ranked 131st out of 180 countries in the 2025 World Press Freedom Index by Reporters Without Borders. Freedom House has consistently classified Cameroon as “Not Free” since 1977, citing the government’s use of anti-state laws and military courts to suppress the press .(Wikipedia)
As the election nears, the environment for journalists in Cameroon remains precarious, with increased censorship, threats, and legal actions posing significant challenges to press freedom.