By George Esunge Fominyen
Last week the offices of Le Messager newspaper were sealed by local taxation services in Douala for unpaid taxes.
"We were accused of arrears of 1.4 million CFA francs," Pius Njawe, the publisher, told a news conference in Douala. "That amount is nothing in comparism to the bill of 12 million CFA francs that we are owed by the Ministry of Finance, (which is the titular head of the taxation department) and other parastatals, "Njawe said.
He has decided to pay the tax bill only after the Ministry of Finance pays up what they owe Le Messager as dues for adverts and announcements.He plans to protest at the Ministry of Finance.
The veteran newspaperman believes the decision to seal his business is an act of sabotage meant to discredit Le Messager which has planned a big celebration of its 30 years of existence in November with many international guests in attendance.
However, with all due respect for what Le Messager and Pius Njawe have achieved in the quest for freedom of expression in Cameroon, there is something odd about this palaver.
Celebrating in crisis
Le Messager is currently facing dire financial times. Pius Njawe himself said the paper has been unable to pay the salaries of its workers for three months (six months according to some workers). Some of the workers have left or been sacked.
This is due to the drop in sales, fall in advertising revenue, unpaid bills by the state for official announcements, the exclusion of Le Messager from advertising and promotional campaigns by some companies due to the paper's editorial stance, as well as the effects of the financial crisis.
"We asked [the taxation service] for a moratorium," Njawe told Cameroon Tribune on Friday 25 September. "We even offered to pay 100,000 CFA Francs to show our good faith, time enough to tackle the situation we find ourselves, but they refused our proposal," Njawe said.
Difficult to tell why the taxation people were not understanding. The financial challenges of independent newspapers in Africa are well documented. Globally, the economic crisis has led to cuts in media staffing and newspapers are folding up.For instance, Cameroon's English Language tri-weekly, the Herald, seems to have shut down since its staff went of strike in May 2009 because of unpaid salaries.
But.... And this is a big BUT... What is mind-warping is the fact that Pius Njawe prefers to spend money and sponsorship to organise a big 30th anniversary bash instead of paying his employees or his taxes.
Is it another example of that great Cameroonian love for celebration, no matter what difficulties we are faced with?
How different is this from Cameroonian authorities who supposedly organised a 100 million FCFA party to welcome a football coach to Cameroon when there are other national teams that cannot even afford a bus to a training camp?
Njawe must have a plan "B"
Pius Njawe is such a veteran of confrontation with the powers that be in Cameroon that one would suspect he has something up his sleeves with this taxation matter. Is it a tactic to draw attention to government's unpaid bills?
This is the man who on 27 December 1997, was arrested and detained for 10 days after publishing (under a pen name) an article alleging that President Paul Biya had suffered from a health malaise; was subsequently tried and fined to pay 500,000 for not disclosing his source and sentenced to two years' imprisonment before a Presdential clemency freed him in October 1998.
It is the same Njawe who was tried alongside Celestin Monga in 1990 and given a suspended sentence of six months for publishing an article deemed offensive to the President of the Republic and parliament.
When you listen to him recount stories of how in the ebbing 1970s and throughout the 80s and 90s they played cat and mouse games with administrative authorities to either escape from official censorship or prevent their copies from being siezed, it is hard not to admire Pius Njawe.
Sadly times have changed since start of the 21st century. Le Messager is no longer the leading (Francophone) private newspaper in Cameroon. Mutations and Le Jour (which split from Mutations) are the today's torchbearers.
Is that why Njawe cannot even find trustees to put together 1.4 million FCFA to pay his taxes? I doubt that. Else, how could he find sponsors to support his planned 30th anniversary celebrations from 14 to 20 November? Or do we prefer to support celebrations than to maintain businesses?
What this imbroglio exposes
Whatever emerges as explanation from both sides, this strory lends credit to claims that doing business in Cameroon is tough. It presents the State of Cameroon as a foul debtor that does not pay its bills - no matter how small (12 million FCFA in this case). As a result small and medium size enterprises that deal with her (the state) are unable to survive - cannot pay workers or run properly.
It is also a pointer to the pauperisation of the journalist in Cameroon or what Francis Nyamnjoh describes as "hand-to-mouth" journalism in Africa (in Africa's Media - Democracy and Politics of Belonging). When professionals have to go for 3-6 months without a salary, either they have other jobs from which they survive or they make ends meet by living on hand-outs (aka Gombo) from events organisers . In Nyamnjoh's words, "any bit of money can lure a journalist to write anything, including blackmail."
In addition, there is the worrying issue of the business model of media organisations in Cameroon (especially if one throws the case of the Herald into the equation). Is the Cameroonian newspaper, radio or TV station an enterprise with a clear business plan including strategies for profitability and sustainability? Or it is an advocacy tool for idealistic men and women with a dream of change who fold up when they run out of pocket money?
Hello Dear, are you truly visiting this website regularly, if so after that you will absolutely take fastidious know-how.
Posted by: real estate brokers in atlanta | October 02, 2013 at 04:25 PM
It's an awesome post for all the internet visitors; they will get benefit from it I am sure. laptop screen
Posted by: asus laptop screen | October 07, 2013 at 11:48 AM
Have you ever thought about adding a little bit more than just your articles? I mean, what you say is valuable and everything. Nevertheless imagine if you added some great images or videos to give your posts more, "pop"! Your content is excellent but with images and video clips, this site could undeniably be one of the greatest in its field. Very good blog!
Posted by: funny travel blogs | October 07, 2013 at 02:12 PM
We're a group of volunteers and opening a new scheme in our community. Your site offered us with valuable information to work on. You have done an impressive job and our whole community will be grateful to you.
Posted by: christian t shirts for kids | October 08, 2013 at 12:17 PM
Whatever song need to hear this particular is available with regards to your iPhone! These apps amount from social media marketing applications to workable apps like Of the navigation to applications that are developed on entertainment.
Posted by: candy blast mania cheats | October 09, 2013 at 06:09 PM
However, there is not really a fast reply for the question: Exactly how much do solar panel systems price? They may be both affordable or pricey (but solar sections are without a doubt worth considering) according to your requirements for electricity.
Posted by: solarpanels | October 10, 2013 at 06:46 AM
Solar-energy projects are generally listed by the watt. In other words, before you may obtain the cost of the job you want to tackle, you have to estimate the amount of wattage needed to supply power to your home.
Posted by: solarpanels | October 10, 2013 at 06:10 PM
Hi are using Wordpress for your site platform? I'm new to the blog world but I'm trying to get started and create my own. Do you need any coding expertise to make your own blog? Any help would be really appreciated!
Posted by: lake tahoe timeshares | October 10, 2013 at 11:32 PM
It's a shame you don't have a donate button! I'd certainly donate to this excellent blog! I guess for now i'll settle for book-marking and adding your RSS feed to my Google account. I look forward to brand new updates and will share this blog with my Facebook group. Talk soon!
Posted by: wordpress deveveloper | October 15, 2013 at 02:14 PM
Good way of describing, and fastidious piece of writing to get information concerning my presentation subject, which i am going to deliver in university.
Posted by: gucci bags outlet | October 16, 2013 at 12:11 PM
you're truly a excellent webmaster. The website loading pace is incredible. It seems that you are doing any distinctive trick. Also, The contents are masterpiece. you have done a wonderful activity in this subject!
Posted by: ny broadway shows - Broadway shows nyc | October 19, 2013 at 04:39 PM
Superb blog! Do you have any recommendations for aspiring writers? I'm hoping to start my own website soon but I'm a little lost on everything. Would you recommend starting with a free platform like Wordpress or go for a paid option? There are so many options out there that I'm completely overwhelmed .. Any suggestions? Appreciate it!
Posted by: pozycjonowanie | October 19, 2013 at 06:56 PM
Wow! This could be one particular of the most useful blogs We've ever arrive across on this subject. Basically Great. I am also an expert in this topic so I can understand your effort. http://asircambalkon.com/ornek-sayfa/
Posted by: hdc note 2 n7889- mtk6589 | October 20, 2013 at 09:13 PM
Selling its devices unlocked in the US allowed Nokia to retain its full set of features without having any added software on their phones. The i - OS 4 is around 300MB so make sure your device has ample space in storage. After this it will go through a software extraction process and begin backing up your i - Phone.
Posted by: JailbreakJailbreak | October 23, 2013 at 07:30 PM
This website truly has all of the information and facts I needed concerning this subject and didn't know who to ask. Everything For Sale www.sellboard.net
Posted by: bags online shopping | October 26, 2013 at 07:45 AM
For most up-to-date information you have to visit web and on the web I found this site as a most excellent website for newest updates.Everything For Sale www.bestshoptrack.com
Posted by: online shopping websites | October 26, 2013 at 10:53 AM
Great beat ! I wish to apprentice while you amend your web site, how could i subscribe for a blog site? The account aided me a acceptable deal. I were a little bit familiar of this your broadcast offered shiny clear ideaEverything For Sale www.storepark.net
Posted by: online spice shop | October 27, 2013 at 02:32 AM
Helpful info. Lucky me I found your web ssite accidentally, and I am stunned why this twist of fate didn't came about in advance! I bookmarked it.
Posted by: company of heroes 2 keygenerator key generator | October 27, 2013 at 03:54 AM
fantastic submit, very informative. I ponder why the other specialists of this sector do noot realize this. You must proceed your writing. I'm sure, you've a huge readers' base already!
Posted by: Dian | October 27, 2013 at 05:11 AM
I am actually thankful to the holder of this web site who has shared this fantastic paragraph at here.www.sellroom.net
Posted by: online skateboard shop | October 27, 2013 at 06:45 AM
I'm gone to say to my little brother, that he should also go to see this weblog on regular basis to get updated from hottest news.Everything For Sale www.saletrack.net
Posted by: catalog shopping online | October 27, 2013 at 08:12 AM
Can I simply just say what a comfort to discover someone who really understands what they're discussing online. You definitely understand how to bring an issue to light and make it important. More and more people have to read this and understand this side of your story. I can't believe you're not more popular since you most certainly possess the gift.Everything For Sale www.shopforall.net
Posted by: shop jewelry online | October 27, 2013 at 10:37 AM
I blog quite often and I really thank you for your information. This great article has really peaked my interest. I am going to bookmark your website and keep checking for new details about once a week. I subscribed to your RSS feed as well.Everything For Sale www.salebestway.com
Posted by: online clothes shopping sites | October 28, 2013 at 12:01 AM
Right away I am reeady to do my breakfast, afterward having my breakfast coming again to read other news.
Posted by: support.bunchofcowboys.com | October 28, 2013 at 03:38 AM
I'll immediately seize your rss feed as I can't to find your e-mail subscription link or newsletter service. Do you've any? Please permit me understand so that I could subscribe. Thanks.
Posted by: fight video | October 28, 2013 at 04:39 AM