SECTOR 3 3.7 The state/public broadcaster offers diverse programming formats for all interests including local content and quality public interest programmes. Compared to other broadcasters in the country, the state broadcaster, CRTV, has more diversity in its programming both in terms of format and content. It seeks to balance its role as a source of information, education and entertainment with a combination of live newscasts, recorded news magazines, specialised programmes, interactive talk shows, documentaries, music, films and locally produced soaps both on radio and television. Through its regional stations and correspondents, CRTV manages to bring several local issues to national attention. Its television service runs a daily regional newscast at 6pm in English and French. From midday to 4pm daily, the national radio station runs two programmes dedicated to news and announcements from the regions. CRTV covers more parts of the country than any other broadcaster. With competition from the private sector, CRTV has been trying to adapt its programmes to the local reality. The news department currently dedicates 30% of its newscast to non-institutional stories. Its newscasts are generally considered more accurate and a reliable source of official information, even though it might not always present the complete truth. “Though it is not a perfect media organ, CRTV does its best to deliver diverse programming formats,” said a panellist. However, as one panellist put it, “one would have expected more. One gets the feeling that the government is too present on CRTV.” Part of the reason is the fact that government events are given priority on CRTV, often to the detriment equally important non-institutional stories. Compared to private stations, CRTV broadcasts fewer live programmes, and people feel that it is not as close to the public as its competitors. One of its main competitors, Canal 2, runs live newscasts and debates simultaneously from Yaounde, Douala and Bafoussam. “With its financial and human resources, CRTV could do better,” said a panellist. 118 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2014