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Alert

CPJ protests journalist's continued imprisonment

(CPJ/IFEX) - In a 7 December 2004 letter to Cameroonian President Paul Biya, CPJ condemned the imprisonment of Eric Wirkwa Tayu, publisher of the small private newspaper "Nso Voice", which is based in the western town of Kumbo. According to local sources, Tayu has been in prison in Kumbo since 28 July, when he was convicted of defaming Kumbo's mayor, Donatus Njong Fonyuy.

According to local sources, the defamation charge, which dates from 4 May, stemmed from articles published in "Nso Voice" alleging that Fonyuy was guilty of corruption. Because the town is so remote, CPJ was only recently able to confirm the details of this case. Tayu was sentenced to five months in prison, in addition to a fine of 300,000 CFA francs (approx. US$590) in damages. Tayu could face additional prison time if he is unable to pay the fine, local sources said.

CPJ condemned Tayu's incarceration. While the organisation does not dispute the right of citizens to seek redress for alleged libel, it believes it should be a civil, not a criminal, matter. Criminal penalties for speech-related offenses have a chilling effect on press freedom, inhibit the free flow of information and ideas, and therefore undermine Cameroon's democracy.