Cameroon’s media regulator has taken decisive action against independent journalism. The National Communication Council (CNC) suspended Vision 4 television for a month following its coverage of the Martinez Zogo murder trial, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing tension between media outlets and authorities.
Regulator’s stern measures target media linked to prominent businessman
The suspension of Vision 4, owned by businessman Jean-Pierre Amougou Belinga, comes after the regulator accused the channel of undermining its authority and failing to respond to official summons. This marks the latest in a series of punitive measures against media outlets under Amougou Belinga’s ownership following their critical coverage of the high-profile murder case.
The CNC had previously sanctioned Vision 4 in June, along with journalist Martial Thaddée Owona and director Philippe Boni Menyene, for broadcasting a report that allegedly contained statements damaging to the dignity of a civil party lawyer. The regulator claimed this sanction had been “poorly enforced” and pointed to additional offending content published subsequently.
Double sanction extends to newspaper covering same trial
In a parallel move, the regulator suspended Jean-Claude Fouda Abega, publication director of L’Anecdote newspaper – also owned by Amougou Belinga – for a month. The newspaper had published an article containing what the CNC described as “baseless, defamatory, and offensive” remarks about the same lawyer.
High-profile trial continues amid escalating media restrictions
These sanctions occur while the murder trial of Martinez Zogo proceeds at Cameroon’s military tribunal in Yaoundé. The radio host was kidnapped on January 17, 2023, near a gendarmerie post in the capital. His naked and mutilated body was discovered five days later.
Amougou Belinga faces charges including complicity in sequestration, torture, and murder. He is being tried alongside Léopold Maxime Eko Eko, former director of the External Research General Directorate (DGRE), and Lieutenant-Colonel Justin Danwe, accused of leading the commando responsible for Zogo’s abduction.