SECTOR 2 Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country meets only a few aspects of indicator 3 Country meets some aspects of indicator 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator Average score: 4.5 (2008 = 4.7) 2.3 Efforts are undertaken to increase the scope of circulation of the print media, particularly to rural communities. Efforts to increase newspaper circulation remain marginal. The distribution company Messapresse « When it comes to is unenthusiastic about sending newspapers alternative means to rural areas where operations are considered of circulation, unprofitable. The state-owned Cameroon Tribune tries to reach most parts of the country by using newspapers can only its wide network of administrative offices, while go as far as their means L’Effort Cameroonais takes advantage of a large can permit » network of Roman Catholic churches. One newspaper, The Farmer’s Voice, circulates mainly in rural areas where its primary audience is located. But overall, circulation is hampered by a combination of factors, including Messapresse’s monopoly, rural poverty and illiteracy, and bad road infrastructure. There have been failed attempts at creating a second distribution company to break the Messapresse monopoly. Joint distribution strategies between newspapers have failed because their owners see each other as rivals, and have been uncommitted to combining efforts. Le Messager and The Standard Tribune tried to distribute their own papers, but quickly ran into problems, including difficulties recovering sales revenue and alleged sabotage by Messapresse. To make up for the distribution lapses, some newspapers run a parallel distribution system but this is largely ineffective because of high costs. “When it comes to alternative means of circulation, newspapers can only go as far as their means can permit,” said one panellist. 80 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2011