SECTOR 1 of newspapers5 and the explosion of private broadcast outlets also suggest an increasingly free media landscape. Nonetheless, “people often ask you if you are not afraid to write what you write,” according to one panellist. In spite of the sense of greater freedom, journalists are still afraid to express themselves freely because the threat of a legal suit or physical assault is real. “Journalists often turn down some assignments” for fear of repercussions from either the state or powerful interest groups. Exercise of freedom of expression by citizens Ordinary citizens generally feel freer to speak about public issues today than they did in the past. This is in part because the media have given them a greater voice. Almost every radio station and TV channel - including the state-owned broadcasters - run live talk shows and phone-in programmes with unfiltered public participation. Yet, “there are some subjects you can speak about without fear and others that you cannot”. Because of the country’s authoritarian past, citizens believe that undercover agents are always nearby to eavesdrop on their conversations. Civil society organisations believe security agents often infiltrate their meetings to listen in and report back to officials. “In spite of guarantees of freedoms, the entrenched practice whereby the state is constantly spying on its citizens has not gone away,” said a panellist. “Once people know security agents may be in the room, they are afraid to say what is on their mind.” Even though only a declaration is required to hold a public gathering, organisers of such events often claim that they are also required to disclose what they intend to discuss. Administrative officials routinely disrupt public meetings because of the subject of discussion and the calibre of participants. Aware of this situation, one panellist asserted that diplomatic missions and other international organisations in Cameroon are increasingly holding meetings at private premises so that people can speak out freely. As a general rule of caution, people watch their language in private conversations and during public gatherings as much as they can. “You will find someone speaking openly about the president, but quickly turn around to see if someone is listening.” 5 82 The estimated number of newspaper titles in Cameroon vary from 500 to more than 600 but only a few dozen are regular and considered credible AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2014