CBN(CRYSTAL)

CBN (CRYSTAL) is a Cameroonian adaptation of the modus operandi of most FM radio stations in the United States. Our idea is to set up a Cameroon Business Network, CBN, radio station fashioned on the module of most FM stations in the USA in mission and vision but adapted to the Cameroonian reality especially in programs.
Whereas operating in a rich and highly industrialized milieu, American radio stations would count on support from viable local industries through grants, adverts, messages etc. CBN (CRYSTAL) must be a committed commercial station to survive.
From desk and field market research carried out on some potential clients, CBN (CRYSTAL) is certain that there is considerable potential in a strictly business and Christian radio network.

1. CBN (CRYSTAL) AND ITS MANAGEMENT

Legal Framework of the Media In Cameroon
Mass communications in Cameroon is regimented by Law No 90/052 of 19th December 1990. The specific broadcast media is regimented by Decree No 2000/158 laying down the modalities for the creation of private broadcast stations in Cameroon. CBN (CRYSTAL) intends to scrupulously respect ALL laws, decrees and orders regimenting broadcasting in Cameroon.

The Cameroon Business Network Concept
CBN (CRYSTAL) is a Cameroonian adaptation of the modus operandi of most FM radio stations in the United States. Our idea is to set up a Cameroon business radio station fashioned on the module of most FM stations in the USA in mission and vision but adapted to the Cameroonian reality especially in programs.
Whereas operating in a rich and highly industrialized milieu, American radio stations would count on support from viable local industries through grants, adverts, messages etc. CBN (CRYSTAL) must be a committed commercial station to survive.
From desk and field market research carried out on some potential clients, CBN (CRYSTAL) is certain that there is considerable potential in a strictly business and Christian radio network.
Our observation is that the business and informal sector that have clear needs to present and promote their businesses have not been properly targeted by local radio stations. The local business class finds it difficult to get good, reliable, and cost effective exposure via the broadcast media. They also find that their messages get absorbed in the quagmire of socio-political trivialities common in most FM stations and government-controlled media in Cameroon.
CBN (CRYSTAL) believes that by concentrating on the business class it can be able to do business and stay afloat.
Beyond being a BUSINESS STATION, CBN (CRYSTAL) intends to offer quality services in entertainment, information and education, which are the leitmotiv of radio-tv in the first place. We intend to deliver a significantly superior service to anything currently on the market.
To achieve our objectives the station needs to invest in proper training of staff and exotic programming. The company also needs a hyperactive marketing and business unit; one capable of contacting and working on all the potential business partners available in the CBN (CRYSTAL) programme guide but staff also capable of respecting the Cameroon nature of CBN (CRYSTAL).

History and Achievements to Date
In 1999, way ahead of the legislation authorizing private broadcast stations in Cameroon, the promoters of CBN (CRYSTAL) wrote to the then minister of communication indicating the desire to create a radio-TV station. That request (and the attendant endorsement by the Honourable Minister in the spirit of Decree No 2000/158 authorising private radio-tv stations) remains the pre-recognition of the CBN (CRYSTAL).
By endorsement Receipt No. B/409/99 of 10th May 1999 and Letter No 526/MINCOM/SG/DIC/CEN/CEA1 of 7th October 1999 the Honourable Minister of Communications has acknowledged the existence of our radio station.
The road to the creation of CBN (CRYSTAL) has not been hassle free. Despite its incredible potential the main difficulty has been to raise capital to purchase the vital equipment necessary for the start up of CBN (CRYSTAL)’s radio-tv venture. Raising capital seems to be a major hassle for Cameroonians confronted as we are with a blinding recession and its incidence on cash for investments. Despite this difficulty CBN (CRYSTAL) has come a long way in setting up its venture.

Legal Structure

CBN (CRYSTAL) is registered as a business. For now there is a sole proprietor. Hopefully CBN (CRYSTAL) will eventually get other local and foreign partners.

The Management Team
Ntemfac Nchwete Ofege1 is a trained Journalist. He is also a Media strategist and a specialist in Political Science/Communications. Since graduating from the University of Yaounde’s School of Journalism in 1987, he served in several capacities. He was first recruited by the Cameroon Radio and Television Corporation, CRTV, wherein he served first as a City Reporter for Yaounde, then as the Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the English News and then as the Deputy Chief of the Political Desk. At CRTV he was anchor of several programs notably: Tam-Tam Weekend, Tel-a-word, the 7.30 and the Late night News.
He has also worked in several newspapers. HE was the founder of the English Edition of Le Messager newspaper, the Editor-in-Chief of Cameroon Post newspaper, the founder of Today newspaper, the founder of the Times newspaper and a co-founder of Postwatch Magazine. He has also been a syndicated reporter for GEMINI News, a London-based news agency.
Currently he has been working on a project aimed at creating a School of Journalism for the Bamenda University of Science and Technology, BUST, wherein he is the Acting Dean of the College of Communications.
The promoters of CBN (CRYSTAL) is a Christian.
We believe that our central but supple management plan will make it possible to address the specific broadcast needs of local communities wherein our stations are found.

Professional Advisors

We have taken legal and professional advice on the formation of CBN (CRYSTAL) from local lawyers, businessmen, officials of the central and external services of the Ministry of Communications, the civil society, pastors. Etc. We have also sought expert advice from reputed local telecommunications and broadcast communication experts. Most of those consulted are on standby willing to help CBN (CRYSTAL) any day.
However, CBN (CRYSTAL) still needs more training of its targeted staff on office automation and running. We will be taking professional advice on database systems and on Web site construction.
We have also talked directly with the various broadcast regulatory authorities.

2. MISSION STATEMENT

We believe that private sector investment in the media, especially the broadcast media in Cameroon, is a must today.
We believe that the media especially the broadcast media can be used in a creative manner to promote the economy and businesses in Cameroon.
We believe that the Almighty God endowed every man or woman with incredible communications skills, which skills can be enhanced for the moral, social, economic, financial and general development of the society in which they live.
We believe that we can use radio and television to promote business in a Christian fashion.
We believe in using our god-given talents and skills to produce quality and world class radio and television programmes for the education of, entertainment of and information thereof of mankind.

CONSEQUENTLY
Our intention is to set up a Cameroon Business radio-tv network with two initial stations; one in Douala and another in Bamenda to be of economic and spiritual service to the community.
Our intention in the medium term is to setup outreaches in other towns.
Our intention in the long term is for this network to own its own cable tv broadcast facility.
Our intention, as part of the entertainment industry, is to offer more enticing programs to Cameroonians so used to being served mediocre worldly programs (pornographic music, films, etc) on existing stations.
Our mission is to create a mutually beneficial relationship between businesses and Christian churches within our catchment areas.

NOW THEREFORE
CBN (CRYSTAL) Radio-tv is a Cameroonian business radio and eventually television station. In fact we could easily be called a Christian Business Radio-Television Station. We are essentially an FM, evangelism and business station: apolitical, with a duty to foster evangelism and development.

Code of Ethical Standards of CBN (CRYSTAL) 4

We pledge to respect the SIGMA DELTA CHI Universal Code of Journalism Ethics as endorsed by UNESCO and all laws governing the practice and ethics of Journalism and broadcasting in Cameroon.

We are business and Christianity-centered. We celebrate our identity as a Cameroonian business radio and eventually television network. We believe that our adequacy and skills is from God, through his son Jesus Christ, who now lives in us in our place. The foundation for all we do is based on Jesus Christ as revealed in God's Word. This becomes authentic when our staff and our programs exhibit spirit-led qualities of excellence and probity.

We pledge to be fair in all our dealings. We will strive to guarantee total respect for the audience because the character of our people and the country itself is more important to us than our reputations. Integrity is highly valued and protected so as not to disappoint the Lord and hurt His work. We pledge to be men/women of respect, dignity and integrity. We have a duty to be independent of favour-seekers, special interests, press agents, and public relations men in the conduct of our activities. We pledge to rise above corruption.

We are prayer supported and business-driven. From the meeting room to the studios we want our station covered in prayer. We pray for one another regularly, pray for God's Hand to remain upon this ministry, and encourage others to do the same. We also recognize that when we pray God in residence prays through us with shaking, inspiring, transforming power.

We are vision-driven. Vision provides the direction that moves us forward. We believe that the creative God made us for creative growth.

We believe that we have a duty to strive for professional excellence because; surrendering to Christ and knowing that He is one with us we have the most creative and dynamic person in the universe in residence and in union with us. Therefore our yoke is easy because we are one in Christ. If He is One With Us who can be against us? We cannot go wrong. Consequently we will do our work diligently using out-of-the-box creativity and cutting-edge research, believing work done with excellence honors the Lord and also exemplifies leadership in our industry.

We deeply appreciate all resources God entrusts us with and consider ourselves stewards of his generous gifts. We believe in being accountable to high standards so that we earn His Trust and promised Crown.

Since our very calling is to communicate to an audience, we strive to communicate clearly and honestly with each other as well. We welcome and lovingly respond to all inquiry and criticism from our listeners.

We acknowledge our interdependence on each other and that everyone is created in the image of God and God through Jesus Christ lives in every one of us. For these reason others deserve to be treated with love, dignity and respect. We are all leaders in some way and look to Jesus as our example of the perfect servant leader.

We recognize that we are part of the entertainment medium; we want our primary focus to be on relevant and transparent ministry to our communities that reflects our listeners' lifestyle and needs, through a caring and encouraging presentation.

We acknowledge that change is a part of life, and the life of an organization. By remaining flexible we are willing to shift attention and responsibilities as the need arises in order to better serve each other and our listeners.

We pledge to be worthy of CBN (CRYSTAL), the Cameroon Business Network.

Comments

[EDWARD]

i a cameroonian reciding in Nigeria for studies .by may 2006 i'll finish my course .iwant to be a recording Engineer.is it possible for my services to be relevant to your organization?

thanks Edward

From the Manager CBN
Do Post your application, biodata and work sample to the following: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] processing
Regards