14 August 2012 Last updated at 06:42 ET

Cameroon profile

• Overview
• Facts
• Leaders
• Media
• Timeline

Newspapers are subject to official restrictions

State-run CRTV operates national TV and radio networks and provincial radio stations. There are dozens of private radio and TV stations.

"It is clear from the diversity of the media and the outspoken reporting style that press freedom is a reality," said Reporters Without Borders in its 2011 field survey.

But the watchdog called for media offences to be decriminalised, and said the press can be "bought and exploited" by politicians and businessmen.

BBC World Service radio is available via local relays (98.4 FM in Yaounde).

There were nearly 784,000 internet users by December 2011 (Internetworldstats.com). In early 2011, officials ordered telecom companies to suspend mobile services for Twitter, ahead of planned demonstrations against President Biya.

Press

• Cameroon Tribune - state-owned daily in French, English
• Mutations - privately-owned French-language daily
• Le Messager - privately-owned, Douala
• The Herald - English-language
• The Post - private, English-language
• La Nouvelle Expression - private, French-language

Television

• Cameroon Radio Television - state-run
• Canal 2 - private
• STV - private

Radio

• Cameroon Radio Television - state-run
• Radio Reine - Catholic station
• Radio Siantou - private