SECTOR 1 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: 4.9 (2008=3.4; 2011=5.0) 1.2 The right to freedom of expression is practised and citizens, including journalists, are asserting their rights without fear. Cameroonians, including journalists, are able to speak up openly, but often do so with caution. The balance between freedom and fear varies and journalists make individual assessments of the specific situation before adopting a course of action. In the view of one panellist, the situation is not so bad to be described as one of “terror”, but rather as inspiring “some degree of fear”. Another panellist believed “press freedom has declined drastically in this country”. The range of views on the subject includes those who think that “freedom of expression is only theoretical” or that “there is always fear among journalists” and those who see an improvement compared to the situation in the past. In general, there seems to be a consensus that citizens and journalists are still unable to fully exercise freedom of expression at all times, despite some progress. That inability results from factors that could be related to the direct threats of criminal prosecution4 or “subtle ways that the government uses to intimidate the public through its operational structures.” As summed up by a panellist, “freedom of expression is under check” in Cameroon. As indicated earlier, citizens and journalists have different experiences in the exercise of freedom of expression. Exercise of freedom of expression by the media In recent years, the media have become more vocal and daring in the issues they report and comment on. Bold headlines and candid live debates are common. Guests on the most popular TV and radio talk show programmes routinely include outspoken critics of the government and its policies. The large number 4 The penal code does not distinguish between journalists and other citizens on offenses related to the exercise of freedom of expression AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2014 81