SECTOR 2 The government has instituted a yearly cash handout to news and media organisations. However, the amounts, some 150 to 250 million CFA (about 270, 000 to 450,000 USD) shared between hundreds of news outlets, professional organisations and printing presses are criticised as being minute compared to the need. The government’s ‘public aid to private media’ has also been criticised for failing to respect the criteria set for allocating amounts to different applicants. Panellists with knowledge of the process stated that although a commission sits to examine applications, its work is strongly influenced by officials of the Ministry of Communication, who use their discretion to determine the allocation of resources. 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: ✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ 2.6 (2008 = n/a; 2011 = 2.2; 2014 = 3.3) 2.7 All media fairly represent the voices of both women and men Cameroon’s media appears to reflect the gender attitudes of the broader society. Consequently, even though women’s voices in the media have increased compared to past years, news coverage and programming is still dominated by men. The following may explain the discrepancies: 1. Male Dominance of Public Life Men are more likely to be newsmakers because they dominate public life (politics, business and sports). One panellist noted that at political events, while the men are making public declarations and projecting their voices, women are on the sidelines – to cheer and to dance. Due to a prevalent culture of male hegemony, women shy away from projecting themselves. ‘Women prefer to stay in the shadows and won’t speak up,’ said a female panellist. ’Because of several cultural factors, they have not learned to take the floor.’ 2. Unfair Projection of Women in the Media When women are in the news, the stories tend to centre around issues such as infant and maternal mortality, rape, adultery, prostitution, poverty and disease outbreaks. News coverage is generally biased against women, particularly in situations of conflict, one panellist noted. Part of the problem, one panellist suggested, might have to do with the fact that the ’more serious and important’ 28 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2018