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May 05, 2025 – Cameroon –
Journalists in Cameroon’s Anglophone regions are facing escalating threats from both government forces and separatist fighters, caught in a deadly crossfire that has turned reporting into a life-threatening act of bravery. The crisis, rooted in a separatist rebellion that began in 2017, has severely undermined press freedom and placed reporters in an impossible position: serve the truth and risk death, or stay silent and watch injustice unfold.
Many journalists report being pressured by both sides to control the narrative. Former Canal 2 International reporter Lambert Kehven shared how separatist and government fighters each threatened his life if his reporting didn’t align with their version of events. Both demanded pre-approval of his work, effectively trying to censor him at gunpoint.
The threats are not empty. At least 16 journalists have been abducted by separatist fighters, with four losing their lives in captivity. Armed groups have stormed radio stations, shut down newspapers, and driven many reporters out of their jobs or into hiding. On the government side, over a dozen journalists have been detained, with some facing charges like terrorism and spreading false news. Intimidation, harassment, and long detentions without trial have forced many to flee the country altogether.
One recent case illustrates the continuing danger. Fred Vubem, a journalist with Cameroun Tribune in the Northwest region, was abducted by alleged separatists in early May 2025, just days after World Press Freedom Day. His disappearance is a grim reminder of the everyday dangers journalists face doing their jobs.
Organizations like the Cameroon Association of English-Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) and international advocacy groups have repeatedly called for the protection of media workers. However, in a region where truth itself is under siege, these calls often go unanswered.
As more journalists leave the field or escape the region, the flow of information dries up, leaving communities in the dark and conflict unchallenged. In Cameroon, telling the truth has become not only an act of courage but one of sheer survival.
Reference –
Abduction of a journalist in the Northwest region by alleged separatist fighters
