Cameroon
authorised the creation of community media. A 2002 ministerial order further supported development of a community sector by providing for public assistance to private communication. These two
legal texts are a sign that the government encourages and acknowledges the existence of community broadcasting. Most of the community broadcasting stations in Cameroon were set up with UNESCO
support. After creation, they were left on their own as members of
the various communities were expected to completely take over
the running of such stations. Neither the public authorities nor the
private sector have any special programmes to promote community
broadcasting. With poverty ravaging the communities where these
radio stations are found, it has been very difficult to run them. They
now depend on the elites of those localities. The elites who foot the
bills believe they have the right to dictate the pace, especially from
the standpoint of content. The consequence is that the community
radio stations are losing their unique identity as a vehicle for community development and embracing lots of political propaganda.
Community radio stations can apply for subsidies from the government, but they have never benefited from them.
SCORES:
Individual scores:			

1, 1, 2, 1, 1, 1, 2, 3, 1, 2

Average score: 			

1.5

2.6

The editorial independence of print media published by a 		
public authority is protected adequately against undue 		
political influence.

ANALYSIS
The “Cameroon Tribune” which is the only print media which has
only the government as the main shareholder does not enjoy editorial independence. Some past Ministers of Communication during
their tenure of office insisted on being briefed on the content of the
paper before publication. The present Minister of Communication
has even gone as far as writing editorials for the paper, especially
16				

African Media Barometer - Cameroon 2008

Select target paragraph3