SECTOR 2 2.2 Citizens’ access to domestic and international media sources is not restricted by state authorities For the first time in the past two years, Cameroon attempted to restrict access to media sources. Notably, the Southern Cameroons Broadcasting Corporation (SCBC) was banned from airing in Cameroon for its pro-Anglophone separatists leaning. Cable and satellite television distributors were arrested and detained in parts of the north-west region for including the channel in their TV bundles. Panellists claimed that security forces ransacked homes and destroyed the TV sets of citizens suspected to be watching SCBC. Even though the SCBC continues to broadcast from abroad, it is only watched in hiding. Web-based access has also helped citizens circumvent the government ban. In the rest of the country, citizens have access to domestic and international media without restriction. In addition to satellite signals from all over the world, the British Broadcasting Corporation and Radio France International transmit locally on FM. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ 3.5 (2008 = 4.7; 2011 = 4.5; 2014 = 3.8) 2.3 The editorial independence of print media published by a public authority is protected adequately against undue political interference Panellists observed that the state-published Cameroon Tribune suffers from political interference. The Cameroon Tribune’s top management is appointed by the government and placed under the supervision of the Ministry of Communication. To illustrate the level of political interference in editorial decision-making, one panellist said, ’It is common for the newspaper to have its (own) version of well-known facts.’ The Cameroon Tribune’s management, as well as its journalists, do not hide the fact that they exist to promote government actions; this shows in their reporting. ‘Many times, they avoid controversial stories until a government version is available,’ added another panellist. 25 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2018