Cameroon: Health minister opens judicial inquiry into "Le Messager" newspaper report
Health Minister Urbain Olanguena Awono has opened an administrative and judicial inquiry into a news story that appeared in the private newspaper "Le Messager". The minister was angered by the paper's publication of an article in its 18 February edition (issue 1624), which reported on the administration of a vaccine of poor quality to individuals affected by the cholera epidemic that has struck Douala, Cameroon's second largest city (240 kilometres south of Yaounde), in the last seven weeks.
IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - CAMEROON
24 February 2004
Health minister opens judicial inquiry into "Le Messager" newspaper report
SOURCE: Journaliste en danger (JED), Kinshasa
(JED/IFEX) - On 19 February 2004, Health Minister Urbain Olanguena Awono opened an administrative and judicial inquiry into a news story that appeared in the private newspaper "Le Messager".
The minister was angered by the paper's publication of an article in its 18 February edition (issue 1624), which reported on the administration of a vaccine of poor quality to individuals affected by the cholera epidemic that has struck Douala, Cameroon's second largest city (240 kilometres south of Yaounde), in the last seven weeks.
According to "Le Messager", close to 500 people were treated with the inadequate vaccine before the authorities recognised the problem and stopped dispensing it. The newspaper reported that the vaccine administered to Douala citizens had a whitish colour, whereas the standard cholera vaccine is a colourless and clear liquid. The vaccine also carried a fake label identifying it as a product of the French company Aventis Pasteur.
Marie Noëlle Guichi, the author of the controversial "Le Messager" article, told JED that "the information published in the newspaper is factual and verifiable. The health minister's criticism is unwarranted and disingenuous."
In its 20 February edition, "Le Messager" reported on the story again, saying, "Between 22 January and 3 February, entire families received a dose of this questionable product."
BACKGROUND:
The Le Messager press group, directed by Pius Njawé, has been the subject of regular attacks and harassment by the Cameroonian authorities. In May 2003, the government prohibited the launch of the group's radio station, Freedom FM, just as it was about to begin broadcasting. The station has been banned ever since (see IFEX alerts of 18 November, 19 September, 29 and 27 May 2003).
For further information, contact D. M'Baya Tshimanga, president, Journaliste en danger (JED), B.P. 633 Kinshasa 1, Democratic Republic of Congo, tel. +243 99 29 323, +243 815 13 05 85, fax: +243 88 01 625, e-mail: [email protected], [email protected], Internet: http://www.jed-congo.org
The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of JED. In citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit JED.
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