SECTOR 1 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. The advent of radio call-in shows and television debate programmes following the liberalisation of the audiovisual sector in 2000 appears to have given Cameroonians a stronger voice. Talk shows frequently carry bitter criticism of government actions and public office holders. But this is often within the limits allowed by “administrative tolerance” - a vague expression that actually means that a public authority can shut down a publication, radio or TV station or arrest a citizen for comments judged by the authority as threatening public order. Intimidation remains widespread and people are generally afraid to speak openly in public. Criminal libel has forced journalists to embark on self-censorship. Even though members of the public are willing to share their comments on public issues to journalists, they are also quick to request that their identity be protected. In 2010, a school teacher riding in a taxi in the capital Yaounde was denounced by another passenger-cum-secret agent, arrested, and detained for many weeks for the alleged “disrespect” of the Head of State, when he complained about the streets being shut down each time the president drives across town. In February 2008, the Minister of Communication suspended TV channel Equinoxe and its sister station Equinoxe Radio, for exposing social tensions that led to riots that year in its programming. Authorities said the stations had been shut down for not bearing broadcast licenses. But a week later, security forces raided Magic FM, a radio station based in Yaounde, over anti-government comments made during a call-in show1. At the time this report was written in April 2011 three journalists were standing trial in the economic capital Douala, accused of “illegally obtaining” judicial police documents. Even though Cameroon’s Constitution guarantees freedom of expression, journalists and citizens are unable to exercise this right without fear. However, there is no official policy to gag the press and silence the public. Problems arise from the overzealousness of some officials, who can find legal loopholes to silence anti-government voices. 1) https://cpj.org/news/2008/africa/cameroun28feb08na.htlm AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2011 67