Cameroon
In Cameroon, journalists are challenged on a daily basis to come up
with a code that guides the practice of the profession. But there
seems to be no effort on the part of the media practitioners. For
one thing, they are not united. In fact, journalists in Cameroon belong to two camps - those who are pro-government and those who
are considered to be for the opposition.
Cameroonian journalists seem to have their individual codes. They
cover events if the organizers transport them to and from the scene
of the event. Those who get to the scene on their own always hang
around trying to find out if the organizers have “something” for
them. Most of those persons who have come to be called “Hilton
Journalists” hardly publish stories on the events they were supposed
to have covered. Those who do usually send bills to the organizers
of events, since they (“the Hilton Journalists”) pass for publishers.
Sometimes newspaper publishers openly tell their reporters to ask
for transport fare and even money from the organizers of events.
The few journalists, who make an effort to respect professional
norms, do make enormous financial sacrifices because they have
to among other things, pay for their transportation to the scene of
events.
SCORES:
Individual scores:			

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

Average Score: 			

1.9

4.2

The Standard of reporting follows the basic principles of 		
accuracy and fairness.

ANALYSIS:
The content of private newspapers, especially those published in
the English language has been described as “gutter material” written in approximate English. The private press recruits people with
doubtful academic credentials. Some publishers themselves do not
32				

African Media Barometer - Cameroon 2008

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