Victor Onana, President of the UPC Steering Committee, talks on 40 years of the State-run daily.

Cameroon Tribune is celebrating 40 years of quality in content and layout. I have been reading the paper since its inception and I can say without doubt that Cameroon Tribune has evolved with time, especially in terms of content and quality. At least, the layout is much modern today as compared to what obtained in the early days.

What I admire more in the paper now is that there is some sort of specialisation. Journalists are able to come out with experts’ views on politics, economy, society, culture, sports and foreign issues. I start reading the paper from the foreign pages from where I get to know about sports issues before landing on the first pages of the paper, politics where I concentrate because I am a politician.

The fusion into one edition christened ‘bilingual’ to an extent still helps some of us, French speaking Cameroonians to improve on the English language. It obliges some of us to learn and improve on the language.  It is true that it reflected the political setting of that time and the same still holds, but Cameroon Tribune has succeeded to remain on top in the country’s media landscape. It is trying to stick to its editorial line, but too much of it makes one to see it as a government propaganda tool which it is not welcomed by most readers.

If there is one thing that CT is faulted for, it is its inability to come out with powerful analysis that can help shape society. What we need of the paper now is to move away from praise commentaries and touch where the shoe pinches so as to create impact. We all know that it is the voice of government, but it should be geared towards working for the improvement of the livelihoods of Cameroonians.

I see Cameroon Tribune in the next 10 years being overtaken by some private newspapers if care is not taken. If more critical commentaries, analysis and editorials that can help shape society are not given pride of place, Cameroon Tribune will have its readers continually turning to other newspapers. We need more objectivity and criticism, orientating government to take good decisions. I want to see CT in future like “The Times, “Le Monde”…..! Happy 40 years of existence, Cameroon Tribune!