Cameroon
still being seized by the secret police and even customs officers,
at times. Such officers usually quote Article 17 of the 1990 law on
social communication, which simply says that a press organ can be
seized (in the case of a newspaper) or closed (in the case of a radio
or TV station ), if it is considered a threat to public order. Going by
the same Article 17, the Minister of Territorial Administration and
Decentralisation can put an end to the activities of a press organ.
In keeping with Article 17 of the 1990 law on social communication,
a military officer took upon himself to dismantle a Yaounde-based
Radio station, “Magic FM” because he felt this radio station was in
favour of the February 2008 social uprising in the country.
SCORES:
Individual scores:			

2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 3, 1, 1, 3, 1

Average score:			

1.9

1.4

Entry into and practice of the journalistic profession is 		
legally unrestricted.

ANALYSIS:
In Cameroon there are no laws restricting entry into and practice of
journalism. But Article 1 of the law of May 1991 on the identification
of a journalist and auxiliaries of the profession can stop somebody
from operating. Article 1, paragraph 1, stipulates that a journalist
is somebody who possesses a professional identity card. Article 7 of
the same law says the professional identity card has to be presented
before a journalist is allowed to cover “official” events. Surprisingly,
this law was unknown until 2004 when the commission charged with
issuing the press card was created. Panellists noted that the press
card is only used to cover official events. It was also said it was only
created by a Minister. The commission has not met for more than
a year and there are repeated complaints that the press cards are
not available. Press organs issue their own identification cards, but
they are of no value. A panellist questioned the seriousness of the
members of the commission charged with the issuing of press cards
African Media Barometer - Cameroon 2008 			

7

Select target paragraph3