Cameroon Tribune, the National Bilingual Daily Newspaper and “Nyanga”, The People’s Magazine, both publications of the Cameroon News and Publishing Corporation dubbed SOPECAM, have been classified as the best local daily newspaper and magazine for the year 2011 by the Messagerie de Presse du Cameroun (Messapresse). During the fourth edition of the Press Excellence Award Night organised by Messapresse on July 28, at the seaside resort town of Limbe, in the South-West Region, SOPECAM’s Commercial and Marketing Director, Alex Mimbang, received the excellence certificates on behalf of the Director General of SOPECAM.
Le Messager and Mutations were classified respectively as the second and third best local daily newspapers. While Le Jour and La Nouvelle Expression newspapers were both the fourth best local newspapers. The award for the best bi-and tri-weekly local newspaper went to La Météo. Aurore Plus and Le Popoli were classified as the second and third best bi-and tri-weekly local newspapers. The Post and Eden took the fourth and fifth position as the best bi- and tri-weekly local newspaper. La Nouvelle newspaper topped the list for the best weekly local newspaper. L’Anecdote received the award for the second best weekly newspaper in Cameroon while L’Œil du Sahel, Dikalo and L’Action were third, fourth and fifth positions respectively.
After classifying SOPECAM’s publication, Nyanga as the best local magazine, Weekend Loisirs, another publication by SOPECAM followed as the second best local magazine in Cameroon. Afrique Mutations and Generations were respectively classified as the third and fourth best local magazines in the country. According to Messapresse, the best local economic and management newspaper is Afrique Mutations, followed by Generations, La Lettre de la Bourse and Le Financier d’Afrique Mag respectively. The award for the best foreign newspaper went to Jeune Afrique.
A Messapresse agent in Yaounde, Jean Omam, said the event is a platform not only to encourage publishers and vendors of newspapers but also to create an opportunity for both parties to communion. He said in classifying newspapers, Messapresse took into consideration the number of copies sold per newspaper in 2011 as well as the regularity in publication. The occasion also gave publishers the opportunity to reward those who are greatly involved in retailing their products. Messapresse is the main distributor of newspapers in Cameroon.
