Cameroon ranked low in latest World Press Freedom index.

Although the decline from the previous year is only two places, it reinforces a broader downward trend that continues to shape the practice of journalism in Cameroon. 

According to RSF, journalists operate in an increasingly difficult environment marked by insecurity, legal pressure, and economic fragility.

One of the major concerns highlighted in the report is the recurrence of attacks against journalists, often with little or no legal consequences. This has contributed to a climate of fear and self-censorship within newsrooms. 

In recent years, several high-profile cases have illustrated the risks. Investigative journalist, Samuel Wazizi, died in military custody in 2019 after being arrested in the conflict-hit South West Region, sparking international outrage. 

Similarly, radio host, Martinez Zogo, was abducted and brutally killed in 2023, a case that remains emblematic of the dangers faced by media professionals in the country.

But beyond physical threats, legal constraints continue to weigh heavily on press freedom. Authorities are reported to use certain laws to regulate or restrict coverage, particularly in sensitive regions such as the NorthWest, South West, and Far North regions, where security challenges persist. 

Groups say journalists covering these areas often face intimidation, arrest, or suspension. They say economic hardship is another critical factor. 

Many media outlets operate under precarious financial conditions, leaving journalists exposed to external influence and limiting their ability to report independently. 

Regulatory actions, including suspensions by authorities, have also raised concerns about their implications for freedom of expression.

As a key issue, Cameroon’s status quo so far as press freedom is concerned, reflects a wider global decline in press freedom, as RSF notes that media independence has reached one of its lowest levels in decades worldwide, with increasing political, economic, and security pressures affecting journalists across multiple regions.

This article was first published in The Guardian Post Edition No:3781 of Wednesday May 06, 2026