19 August 2009

Alert

Private radio station suspended indefinitely


Incident details

Suspension

Sky One Radio, Radio station

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(JED/IFEX) - On 17 August 2009, Sky One Radio, a privately-owned radio station based in the capital, Yaoundé, was "temporarily" closed by Communications Minister Issa Tchiroma Bakary because of "numerous issues concerning media professionalism" relating primarily to the popular programme "Le tribunal".

According to information obtained by Journaliste en danger (JED), Tchiroma announced on national radio that he made the difficult decision to close the radio station after three attempts at reconciliation with the radio station's management. The Cameroonian government has accused Sky One Radio of trying to act as a substitute for the Ministry of Social Services by attempting to solve social problems on its radio programmes.

"Sky One Radio was closed for multiple infringements of laws governing communications in Cameroon. If the management of the radio station promises to respect the code of ethics and the ministry's specifications, we will reopen the radio station," the minister said.

Contacted by JED, the host of "Le tribunal", Djival Ebale, denounced the government's decision and explained that the programme, which has been airing for almost two years, deals only with reoccurring social problems in Cameroonian society by allowing people to call in with their issues and search for solutions.

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