High production cost threatens print media

Due to poor circulation of newspapers, drop in purchase of prints and an increase in the prices of the newspaper, the press is in danger of collapse in Cameroon. However, publishers have understood this and are engaged in discussions with their partners to improve the situation.

Wednesday, 6 August 2014, president of the Federation of newspaper publishers in Cameroon (Fedipresse), Haman Mana, also Director of publication of the daily ‘Le Jour’, met the Director General of customs, Minette Libom Li Liken. They discussed on the increase in the prices of newspapers due to fees imposed on the import of this material in the manufacture of the journal.

Cameroon customs are indeed accused of raking wide to fill the shortfall caused by the entry into force of the Cameroon-EU interim economic partnership agreements. Since August 4, 2014, European products enter into the Cameroonian territory without customs fees.

In the meeting of newspaper publishers, July 25, Sévérin Tchounkeu, director of Publication of the daily La Nouvelle Expression, warned that the increase in paper costs will exceed 20%. In an environment where all or almost everything costs more expensive because of the recent increase in fuel prices, he said that the newspaper could increase from 400 to 600 CFA francs. The last 100 CFA francs increase dates back to 2007.

While the press already suffers from the bad reading habits of Cameroonians, they now also face problem of distribution. A crisis meeting is planned Friday, August 8, 2014 in Douala, the economic capital of Cameroon, between publishers of press and Messapresse, the exclusive distributor in the country. Both parties have appointed an Ombudsman to their conflict in the person of Ferdinand Nana Payong, a professional in advertising and event, deemed very close of the media.

The Fedipresse accuses Messapresse of poor distribution of their newspapers and their failure to declare all sales carried out. A study reveals that 60% of the points of sale of newspapers are inactive in Douala against 44% in Yaoundé. The press is absent in the secondary cities of the country. «Messapresse is not transparent in distribution. Verification is impossible and the interlocutor does not give any explanation.

Distribution is not made in such a way that people find newspaper where it should be. No sales force has been deployed", complained Haman Mana, at the end of the meeting that newspaper publishers held July 25. SOURCE: