Cameroon’s media regulator has issued a stern warning to television channel distributors, particularly those broadcasting foreign content, regarding the transmission of “scenes of homosexuality.” The country’s legal system considers same-sex relations a punishable offense, with imprisonment being the prescribed penalty.
The National Communication Council, a governmental body responsible for media regulation, circulated a document titled “Warning” on Tuesday, highlighting the increasing prevalence of programs promoting homosexual practices. The text specifically mentions that such programs are being broadcast by foreign editors, often targeting children and minors through cartoons.
The council, known as CNC, has called upon the channel promoters airing these programs to immediately withdraw them from their schedules. Failure to comply with this directive, which is deemed to violate the country’s laws, morality, and customs, may result in the suspension of the concerned media outlets.
Although the CNC has refrained from explicitly naming the media companies it is addressing, an anonymous official from the regulatory body affirmed that the sheer volume of programs involved makes it impractical to list them individually.
Cameroon, like many other African nations, relies on subscriptions to satellite television packages offered by companies such as Canal+ and DStv, in addition to various smaller private operators that grant access to foreign channels.
The National Communication Council comprises nine members, all of whom are directly appointed by President Paul Biya, who has held an iron grip on power in Cameroon for over four decades.
Cameroonian law dictates that engaging in sexual relations with a person of the same sex can result in imprisonment for a period ranging from six months to five years.
In May 2022, the international non-governmental organization Human Rights Watch (HRW) shed light on the regular “violence and abuse” suffered by LGBTQI (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and intersex) individuals in the country. HRW criticized the criminalization of homosexuality, stating that it fosters an environment where Cameroonians and security forces can assault and mistreat LGBTQI individuals with impunity.
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