SECTOR 1 the declaration to publish being made. Although the publisher is authorised to continue publishing if the 15-day period expires without the official issuing an acknowledgement of receipt, it is important to point out that the official can also issue an objection against the publication of the proposed newspaper or magazine.11 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: 5.0 (2008=n/a; 2011=1.7) 1.6 Confidential sources of information are protected by law and/or the courts. Cameroonian law “recognises and guarantees” the protection of news sources, who “can only be revealed before a judge and during an in camera hearing” (Law on Freedom of Social Communication, 1990, Article 50). Legal interpretations of the implication of this provision vary. Doesn’t the possibility for a journalist to reveal news sources before a judge, even in camera, defeat the purpose of protecting those sources? In the view of one panellist, “Once you are called to reveal your source, even in camera, the source is no longer protected”. On the other hand, some panellists argued that “the aim of revealing a source before a judge is to protect the journalist, since in certain circumstances, identifying the source is the only proof that the journalist has merely presented information as was gathered, rather than publishing baseless claims from figment of his imagination. Doing so in camera, therefore, still protects the source.” In spite of the debate on this provision of the law, panellists were unanimous in their view that as far as they could remember, “no journalist in Cameroon has ever had to reveal a source before a judge”. In practice, pressure on journalists to reveal their sources takes the form of intimidation from security forces, other law enforcement agents and powerful public officials. “Wherever you go the first thing you are asked is to identify your source. No one disputes the veracity of the information,” said a panellist. 11 Article 7.3 of the Law of the Freedom of Social Communication states the publication can go ahead if the administrative official fails to issue a receipt with 15 days after the declaration to publish is made 86 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2014