Wirkwa Eric Tayu

Journalist, West Africa. In exile.

37 year old Wirkwa Eric Tayu is a well known freelance journalist in Cameroon.  He spent many years working for national media organisations and publications like the Chronicle, City Times and The Guardian Post and was editor and publisher of the NSO Voice in Kumbo, North West Cameroon.

Following the publication of a series of stories critical of the local government, Eric was targeted by the authorities.  He began to receive death threats, was regularly harassed and in 2004 spent eight months in jail after publishing a story about the local mayor.  After his release Eric faced further harassment and in 2007, on hearing that he would be returned to prison fled Cameroon for a neighbouring country, leaving his family without income or support.  Eric has been relying on a friend for shelter and subsistence.

The Trust has been helping Eric and his family get back on their feet by paying for the children’s school fees in Cameroon and funding Eric through a journalism diploma whilst in exile. It will give him the qualification he needs to find work as a journalist so that he can support himself and his family again.