SECTOR 2 2.9 Media cover the full spectrum of economic, cultural, political, social, national and local perspectives and conduct investigative stories With an increase in competition, news media outlets are investing in original stories outside reporting public events, which has led to a greater variety of subjects. Newspapers have created specialised sections complete with editors, while broadcasters increasingly air programmes that seek to cover underreported subjects and sectors. Examples include Le Temps de Compt, Our Cultural Heritage on CRTV, and Heritage on Canal 2. However; politics, business and sports continue to dominate news coverage and programming. Cameroon has at least two business dailies that have emerged over the last few years, as well as several weekly and monthly sports publications. By and large, true investigative journalism is hardly practised. Newsrooms lack the resources and manpower required to undertake investigations. A panellist added, ‘Economic pressures mean that even when news organisations receive hints about wrongdoing, they are unwilling to investigate because of the risk of falling out of favour with a public authority or (the risk of) losing advertising.’ 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: ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 3.3 (2008 = 2.2; 2011 = 3.7; 2014 = 3.5) 2.10 Private broadcasters deliver a minimum of quality public interest programmes Private broadcasters are more aggressive in growing their audiences and have invested in TV programmes that appeal to the wider public. In-depth reports, along with talk shows and phone-in programmes, tackle a wide range of public interest subjects; from corruption to healthcare. In 2018, winners of the maiden edition of the Peace Media Award were mainly journalists nominated from the private media. Critics, however, say programmes on private radio and television channels are of low quality and are designed to gain cheap popularity. A new trend referred to as ‘the people’s court’ has gained popularity. It is, however, loaded with slanderous and unethical practices. 30 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2018