CHAPTER 5: SIGNIFICANT THEMES into law. MISA was also encouraged to facilitate the establishment of a journalists’ union. Specialised training for journalists and forming an influential editors’ forum were also recommended. 2014 AMB Although this AMB acknowledged positive changes in the political environment, it also highlighted several negative developments. These included poor journalistic practices, the prosecution of journalists under archaic laws, the enactment of broadcasting regulations (namely the Communications Regulatory Act of 2012), and the presidency’s hostility towards journalists. This AMB raised many issues similar to those raised in 2011. 2018 AMB The 2018 AMB did not outline any significant improvements on the issues mentioned in the proceeding AMBs. However, it raised new issues as focal points, such as media sustainability and funding, and the need to research the country’s media environment. Cameroon 2011 AMB Despite improvements in media training and diversity in Cameroon, the 2011 AMB highlighted a lack of progress in issuing TV licences, the government’s penchant to attack journalists and the media, decreasing professionalism in journalism, and limited media reach in the country, among other things. It recommended the decriminalisation of libel, advocacy for an Access to Information Law, and tax breaks for media inputs such as newsprint. Other recommendations focused on strengthening journalists’ representation and improving their training. 2014 AMB This AMB highlighted positive improvements in attempts to reform the media sector and law, reduced court cases against journalists, and the proliferation of digital journalism. Nonetheless, poor quality broadcast journalism, corruption in the media, lack of an Access to Information Law, and lack of media sustainability were noted as persistent challenges. Recommendations focused on increasing efforts to establish access to information legislation and to implement the media reforms proposed in 2011. 24 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER 11 YEARS IN REVIEW