SECTOR 3 3.2 Broadcasting is regulated by an independent body that is adequately protected by law against interference, whose board is not dominated by any particular political party and is appointed – in an open way – involving civil society and not dominated by any particular political party Cameroon does not have a broadcasting commission. The governmentappointed National Communication Council (NCC) is charged with regulating all media, including broadcasting, and concerns itself with questions of ethics and standards. Panellists assessed that the NCC lacks independence. Its members are appointed by the president of the republic, who uses discretional powers and does not involve civil society. However, the lack of security of tenure does not appear to have stopped the current council from acting independently. In the past three years, the council has taken some bold decisions, including sanctioning media houses and journalists suspected to be ‘godfathered’ by top government officials. ‘The council has been able to withstand pressure from above, directing it to sanction designated journalists,’ said one panellist, ‘such complaints are simply thrown out.’ 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: ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓ ✓✓✓✓✓✓ 1.8 (2008 = n/a; 2011 = 1.2; 2014 = 2.0) 3.3 The body which regulates broadcasting services and licences, does so in the public interest and ensures fairness and a diversity of views broadly representing society at large As a statutory body, the NCC, which amongst other media regulates broadcasting, has limited appeal. The council is perceived as a pawn in the hands of powerful interests. This impression is due in part to the fact that the majority of cases brought before the NCC against journalists are from members of the government and chief executives of state corporations. The council also operates 36 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2018