beneficiaries47, and CFAF216,000,00048 in 2017 for 111 beneficiaries49. In order to qualify for the assistance, the applicant must show proof of uninterrupted broadcasting of the radio or TV station; visibility and permanent activity on the information websites; compliance with publication periods for the written press organs and the printing press, and a taxpayer’s card. This is in a bid to make them accountable and credible stakeholders, limit fraud and access of fictitious enterprises to the public assistance. §3: Accountability of the Stakeholders 89- During the reference period, accountability of the stakeholders was imposed as an imperative. A number of strategies were used to achieve same, including checking access to professions, regulating freedom, and judicial sanction as a last resort in cases of serious misconduct. A: Checking Access to the Profession 90- Out of the multitude of newspapers referred to above, some 30 are published periodically and 19 of which are published regularly. Irregular publications are full of advertorial and their existence is characterised by serious ethical lapses that damage the whole sector. The audiovisual sector also has ethical loopholes concerning programme content. 91- In this context, the issuance of the press card which is the self-regulation tool of the profession became imperative to check access to the profession. In this regard, the body in charge of issuing the press card was relaunched by Order No. 1/MINCOM of 18 May 2015 to establish the composition of the Press Card Commission. The outcome was as follows: 863 press cards50 were issued in 2016 out of 957 applications and 100 in 2017 out of 125 applications. 92- Regarding the advertising sector, the National Advertising Board established by Law No. 2006/18 of 29 December 2006 was launched by Order No. 1143/CAB/PR of 13 November 2014 to establish its composition51. The Board is an advisory body under the supervision of the Minister of Communication. It is in charge of assisting the Minister of Communication in preparing, implementing and monitoring Government policy on advertising. It also gives its opinion on applications for authorization to practice different advertising professions, and on all draft regulatory instruments governing the advertising sector, ensures compliance with professional ethics and the regulations on advertising, draws up reports on the functioning of the advertising sector, and makes proposals to the Minister on the balanced development of the advertising sector. 47 That is, 39 community radio stations, 7 commercial radio stations, 1 TV stations, 3 audiovisual producers, 53 written press organs, 3 cyber press organs, 5 professional organizations and printing press. There were 168 applications. The number of applications rejected for non-compliance (54) has also dropped. 48 About 329,289.87 Euros 49 That is, 53 written press organs,8 commercial radio stations, 2 audiovisual producers, 3 TV stations, 2 printing press,1 professional organization, 41 community radio stations, and1 cyber newspaper. There were 150 applications submitted. 50 The press card holder, subject to complying with the laws and regulations in force and the need to maintain order, has access to sources of information and on the whole, to all places where he/she is required to work. In the performance of his/her duties and at his request, he/she has the right to protection and assistance from the forces of law and order. It is a self-regulation tool of the profession (Decree No. 2002/2170/PM of 9 December 2002 to lay down the terms and conditions of issuance of the press card in Cameroon). 51 The NCC comprises a Chairperson, the Minister of Communication, and 26 members comprising 12 from the Administrations, 2 from Councils, 11 from professions of which 3 from Advertising Agencies, 2 from Consultant Services, 2 from Advertisers, 2 from the audiovisual media, 2 from the written press; and 1 from the civil society. 21