SECTOR 2 stories and programmes are run by men. Even though the number of female journalists has increased in newsrooms, particularly on TV, they are often assigned to cover ‘beats’ such as health, entertainment, beauty, culture and society, which are considered less newsworthy. 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: ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓ ✓ 3.0 (2008 = n/a; 2011 = 1.6; 2014 = 3.2) 2.8 All media fairly represent the voices of society and its minorities in its ethnic, linguistic and religious diversity Journalists believe they cannot tell stories that do not exist. They argue that ‘you cannot ask journalists to do what is not within their mandate.’ In other words, ‘journalists cannot create stories simply to project the voice of minorities.’ The impression is that the absence of certain minorities in the media or the projection of certain groups result from a passive process and is the consequence of ranking stories on the basis of their newsworthiness. This may be explained by the fact that certain ethnic-regional groups, such as the centre-south Francophone, and religious groups (Christians and Muslims) dominate public life. However, it also emerged from panellist’s debates that certain newspapers tend to have ethnicregional leanings. Compared to the private media, the state broadcaster works to fairly represent the voice of society, with its regional stations broadcasting in local languages. 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: 29 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2018 ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ 3.4 (2008 = n/a; 2011 = 2.5; 2014 = 3.3) ✓ ✓