SECTOR 3 Broadcasting regulation is transparent and independent; the state broadcaster is transformed into a truly public broadcaster. 3.1 Broadcasting legislation has been passed and is implemented that provides for a conducive environment for public, commercial and community broadcasting. Following the 1990 law on Social Communication, the Prime Minister signed a decree in April 2000that lay down conditions and modalities for creating and running private audiovisual communication enterprises. Article 9 of the decree authorizes the Minister of Communication with issuing licenses for the operation of radio stations and television channels. Their validity is five years for radio stations and ten years for television channels. Renewal is based on the respect of “conventions, specifications and general obligations” signed at the granting of the licence. Licence fees are as follows: • • • • • • • • Local commercial radio –10 million CFA (approx. US$ 20,000) Local non-commercial radio –5 million CFA (approx. US$ 10,000) National commercial radio –50 million CFA (approx. US$ 100,000) National non-commercial radio –10 million CFA (approx. US$ 20,000) Local commercial TV –50 million CFA (approx. US$ 100,000) Local non-commercial TV –10 million CFA (approx. US$ 20,000) National commercial TV –100 million CFA (approx. US$ 200,000) National non-commercial TV –25 million CFA (approx. US$ 50,000) Many consider the fees prohibitive. Since 2000, when the sector was liberalised, only two television stations - Canal 2 International and STV - have been issued licenses. Operators say they cannot afford the fee, and the government is also accused of being reluctant to issue licenses. State authorities allow stations and channels to run without authorisation under a regime of “administrative tolerance”. This also means, however, that the government can cite the lack of authorisation as reason to close a radio or television station. In 2008, this was the reason given for the closure of Equinoxe TV and radio. The stations were later reinstated and reopened, even though no license fee was paid. 90 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2011