The anniversary calls for both merry-making and reflective events to recall the various milestones in the life of the newspaper.

Ordinary and Extraordinary Board sessions of the Cameroon News and Publishing Corporation (SOPECAM) held yesterday 30 June 2014 in Yaounde, the eve of another anniversary in the life of the newspaper. As expected, such meetings may deviate from the objective of looking look deeply into road covered and the way forward for the newspaper. However, those who witnessed the early days of the birth of Cameroon Tribune, attest that it was neither an easier ride, on 1st July 1974 nor has it been today 40 years down the road. With two separate newspapers at inception, in English and French, Cameroon Tribune had a modest beginning of 12 pages in black and white and eventually moved to 16, then 24 to today’s 32 pages that feature eight in colour and 24 in black and white.

The desire for an attractive and quality visual image combined with into another stage of economic and linguistic convenience whereby both newspapers merged into a national bilingual daily on Monday, 11 September 1995 with an announcement of Pope John Paul II’s visit to three African countries: Cameroon, Kenya and South Africa from 14-20 September. Several other visual and content modifications have taken place within the newspaper as the current format of political, economic, society, culture, sports and foreign pages were at one time only summarised to home, sports and foreign news. Even the density and richness that the newspaper columns enjoy today are the result of mutations conceived to meet the professional and managerial aspirations of Cameroon Tribune that has since its origin remained the sole property of the State.

Such an ownership has however witnessed diverse appreciation as the professional knack for information, education and entertainment through creative issues and topical news, has often met with conflict and even opposition even from those who represent the owners of the newspaper. The nascent multi-party context in the 1990s that led to a pluralistic media landscape in Cameroon with the 19 December 1990 Liberty Laws further compounded matters for Cameroon Tribune with the birth of rival newspapers.

In as much as others have erroneously perceived the paper as a spoiled child who is privileged to receive most scoops, especially from State officials, the reality has been different. Some politically-minded officials continue to play the role of the ombudsman or even stigmatise reporters, notwithstanding the multiple calls by the Head of State and the existing laws for Cameroonians to be informed. Yet, it all sounds like refusing to give to Caesar what is Caesar’s by not considering the journalist as an integral part of nation-building who equally has the wellbeing of Cameroon at heart.

The globalisation trend that has introduced a digital environment within the media landscape renders the competitive challenge rather so strong that no one can afford to stay behind any longer, because the dissemination of information is inseparable from that of global drift. A computerised newsroom with intranet, internet and digital illustrations for Cameroon Tribune is a reality that can enable the newspaper to move to the next level in the weeks and months ahead. Such a way forward can legitimately preoccupy managers and policymakers within Cameroon Tribune today as the newspaper clock 40.

Since the news structure does not function in isolation, festivities marking the anniversary coincided with the FIFA World Cup in Brazil, making it difficult to organise any major gathering within such a passionate moment for football lovers that Cameroonians are. Even with the early and disgraceful exit of the Indomitable Lions from the competition, Cameroonians continue to vibrate to the rhythm of football. Consequently, a progressive recollection of the evolution of Cameroon Tribune shall feature in the columns of the newspaper until after the football World Cup up to 22 July when weeklong activities will take place to enable members of the public join in the festivities.