News
2006-02-17
Cameroon tabloids
on trial over outing campaign
Two tabloid
newspapers in the West African country of Cameroon are in
court defending themselves against a lawsuit over a recent
Two tabloid
newspapers in the West African country of Cameroon are in
court defending themselves against a lawsuit over a recent
effort to out prominent public figures. The papers,
quoting "reliable sources," alleged that dozens of
politicians, entertainers, and religious figures in
the nation are gay and that some had used sex with
other men to advance their careers.
Among the men targeted was Cameroon's
communications minister, who told Voice of America
that the journalists had no sources and would not be
able to defend their case. Cameroon's Media Council has also
condemned the papers, citing "insufficient ethics."
The start of the trial was marked by thousands
of antigay protesters who called themselves
the "Free Youths." The group's president told
VOA, "Our association wants here to make a petition where we
have to collect 1 million signatures, and these signatures
will prove that all the society of Cameroon are
against homosexuals."
Homosexuality is
illegal in Cameroon and can carry a prison term of up to
five years. (Sirius OutQ News)
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