SECTOR 4 4.4 Journalists and other media practitioners are organised in trade unions and/or professional associations, which effectively represent their interests. Cameroon has an impressive number of media organisations and trade unions, some of them operating legally and others not. The more prominent ones include: - The Cameroon Union of Journalists (CUJ) Cameroon Association of English Speaking Journalists (CAMSEJ) La Fédération des Éditeurs de Presse La Fédération des journalistes camerounaise Association des Journalistes Sportive du Cameroun The Union of Online Journalist of Cameroon Association of Economic Journalists Association of Journalists for Decentralisation La Presse Economique du Cameroun National Union of Journalists Club of Political Analysts L’Union de Presse Francophone l’Union des journalistes libres du Cameroun The Network of Community Radios Science Journalists’ Network Despite the large number of media organisations and trade unions, their voice is weakened by rivalry and leadership problems. Members often accuse the executives of their associations and unions of not convening meetings and outliving their mandates. Most media organisations are seen as “one man bands” that benefit only a few interested in travelling around the world. In general, the presence of these media organisations is not felt on the ground. The Cameroon Union of Journalists, which is supposed to be the umbrella association, is often cited as the most dormant media organisation. Media organisations are also divided in terms of pro-government or pro-opposition leanings, which prevent them from forming a common front. However, there are a few exceptions. CAMASEJ is easily the country’s most active media organisation, and frequently runs media training workshops for its members. Its members come from the public and private sector and include reporters, editors and publishers. Its role in in enforcing the respect of professional standards has received acclaim from independent observers. Association de journalistes sportive du Cameroun is also a fairly active entity. Media owners are now organised in an association called La Fédération des Éditeurs de Presse and are taking on board issues of common interest not only for its members but for the development of the print media as a whole. It has already scored a few remarkable victories as far as negotiations with the sole newspaper distributor in the country are concerned, as well as advocating for the lifting of value added tax (VAT) on newsprint and other media inputs. 126 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER CAMEROON 2014