Despite the promising advances in digital transformation, the sector is going through a serious crisis today. In the absence of concrete and adapted solutions, its future seems compromised, with particularly worrying forecasts for the years to come.

The current challenges of digital press in Cameroon

The Cameroonian press is going through a deep crisis, particularly marked in the digital sector, despite the opportunities offered by the digital transformation that the country strives to adopt on a daily basis. Among the main threats that compromise its survival, are the lack of financial means, the insufficiency of advertising revenues, the difficulty in generating paid subscriptions, failing technological infrastructures and a lack of digital skills.

A few months ago, encouraging signs seemed to emerge from certain Yaoundé officials. During a conference held recently in the capital, the Minister of State, Minister of Higher Education, Jacques Fame Ndongo, underlined the need for government support for the sector. Among the urgent measures mentioned, were the strengthening of journalists' skills in the digital field and the implementation of public-private partnerships aimed at improving access to technologies and resources necessary

However, over time, press support systems focused on the aid granted to private media. The digital press, although recently included in this context, still benefits from progression margins to fully exploit these opportunities. In this context, professionals in the sector highlight the importance of reinforced support, in the form of suitable subsidies and tax reforms aimed at creating an environment conducive to the rise of the digital press.

The measures necessary to support the digital press

For several years, government initiatives in favor of the press have been articulated around an aid system mainly for private press. It is only recently that the digital press has been included in this mechanism, although its integration has not yet produced major effects. Professionals in the sector express the need for increased support, especially through subsidies and direct financial aid, as well as tax reforms to encourage the development of the digital press.

To date, Cameroon lists 72 online press bodies, according to the latest report published by the National Communication Council.

Christian Essimi