SECTOR 4 Panellists observed that journalists do not only accept, but demand bribes. Harassing event organisers and blackmailing public officials to ‘kill’ stories is a worrying trend on the rise. It is common for a journalist to approach ministers and other top officials with a next edition cover, asking them to ‘talk’ if they do not want the story published. Other journalists run promotions of upcoming stories alleging investigations into the operations of public officials, hoping the said individual will call to prevent it from being printed. This also applies to journalists of the public media, who will hold onto a story until the event organiser ‘speaks’. Private and public media journalists are involved, as well as low-level reporters and editors; stated one panellist. The exceptions are few. 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: ✓ ✓✓✓✓✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1.3 (2008 = n/a; 2011 = 1.0; 2014 = 2.1) 4.6 Journalists and editors do not practice selfcensorship in the private broadcasting and print media Self-censorship is widespread in the Cameroonian media for many reasons: 1. Security and Safety Journalists have learned that certain subjects are risky and make the conscious decision to avoid them. Many Anglophone journalists, for example, fear that reporting the activities of separatists exposes them to government reprisals. Other thorny subjects include reporting on the activities of Boko Haram – the security forces and their activities are considered off limits for journalists. In addition, some public officials are feared and considered ‘off limits ‘because of the power they wield.’ As one panellist stated, some stories come down to the decision to ‘publish and perish’. 2. Economic Pressure Advertisers or economic partners are not to be touched and journalists know this. ‘You feel a compulsion to treat them with care because they bring in the cash,’ said one panellist, describing their experience. In extreme cases, private companies pay off media owners to prevent bad press, forcing both journalists and editors to choose and pick what they publish about those organisations. 46 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2018