Call for journalist to be released

CAMEROONIAN civil society groups have called for the release of journalist Mimi Mefo, who works for the privately owned Equinoxe television and radio station.

Mefo was arrested on Wednesday and stands accused of “propagating false news that jeopardises state security and of committing cyber crimes”.

Groups including the Committee to Protect Journalists and Cameroon Journalists’ Trade Union condemned her arrest and called for her immediate release, the East African reported.

Despite the constitution guaranteeing freedom of expression in a country that has about 500 newspapers and 100 radio and TV stations, freedom of the press is not guaranteed, with legislation empowering officials to ban newspapers based on a claimed threat.