Cameroon radio program threatened

A Cameroon military official has urged authorities of Cameroon Radio and Television (CRTV) to remove a Sunday morning radio program, "Cameroon Calling", for its critical reporting on Cameroon government officials. The military official claimed the program harbors a nest of rebels against the station. A Cameroon deputy in the National Assembly is also pressuring the radio program to discipline one senior journalist, Guy Roger Eba, for broadcasting a controversial story about him. The program has run into trouble before with authorities: Tehwi Lambiv was fired in March after he asked a question of a government official considered embarrassing and casting doubt on the country's electoral process; and the entire program crew was arrested in 1990 for broadcasting a program on multi-party politics.

Source: Icicemac.com, Jan. 26.

Assam: Book offending religious leader banned

India's northeastern state of Assam has banned a book considered offensive to Sankaradeva, a 16th century Vaishnavaite saint-reformer of the region. The state is also considering legal action against the author, while religious leaders demand his punishment. The book, Sankar Bibhrat by Srikanta Deva Sarma, a Guwahati-based priest, pointed out contradictions in other books written about Sankaradeva. It is said to have sparked large-scale religious protests around the state.

Source: Indian Express, Jan. 27, 2009; Assam Tribune, Jan. 19.