SECTOR 1 media organisations are inactive, “hijacked” by leaders driven by personal gain, or in conflict with each other. One panellist described the leaders of most media organisations as “a click of three or four persons who only use the name of the organisation to obtain invitations to globetrot, making big declarations abroad when they are lording over moribund organisations at home.” The Cameroon Union of Journalists, considered the country’s largest media organisation, has not held a meeting for more than five years. On the other hand, panellists were of the opinion that The Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMASEJ) is the most active. Other civil society organisations often work with the media. However, these organisations use the media to promote their agenda rather than to promote the cause of journalism. It is uncommon to see CSOs working side by side with the media on occasions like World Press Day. 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: 2.7 (2008=1.7; 2011=3.0) 1.11 Media legislation evolves from meaningful consultations among state institutions, citizens and interest groups. Both media experts and government officials consider the 2012 National Communication Forum (NCF) a major departure from routine practice in the country, because the forum was open to stakeholders outside the government apparatus. Committees reportedly worked many hours into the night before reaching consensus because of the diverging voices on the committee. The forum is the best example of inclusive consultation, since it brought together actors from the public service, the private sector and academia. However, describing the consultation as meaningful is debateable. Critics say the government came with an agenda, which it imposed on delegates. Some panellists were not very optimistic about the outcome of the exercise because in the past, final policy choices have hardly reflected the views of other stakeholders. The fact that the conclusions of the NCF have not been tabled before the country’s law making AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2014 91