Life of journalists after retirement.

23/03/2023

In Cameroon, unlike in other countries, retirement is often taken as a punishment, or harshly put, death sentence. There is, however, an iota of truth, which explains why many Cameroonians reduce their age by many years so as not to quickly hit 60. There isn't a bit of an adrenaline rush to reach 60, which is the maximum retirement age in the country.

With journalists in Cameroon, especially those on the government payroll, retirement is painful. Charles Ndongo current CRTV General Manager, was on the verge of retirement when he was raised to the top job and he did not hesitate to thank President Paul Biya for saving him from retirement.

Retirement, however, means different things to different workers. But the advantages of going on retirement; to rest, have fun, leisure and be in the company of family without the hassle and bustle of working in old age, are beyond quantification.

The disadvantage, nonetheless, means that incomes drop to about a third, and it is indeed punishing for those who did not plan for their retirement. For journalists, however, retirement can open new opportunities for work without the stress of old age, given the technological revolution that permit talented professionals to work from home for any media organ around the world, even at 70.

Legendary Larry King of CNN who entered the Guinness Book of World Records for having the longest running show with the same host in the same time slot retired at 80.

Cameroon journalists won't work till 80, unless they have their own media organs.  But for the vast majority who retire as employees at 60, it shouldn't be perceived as some sanction.

Last month, at a one-day workshop held in Lagos, Nigeria under the theme: “The Journalist Life After Retirement”, media people were told retirement shouldn't be time for idleness.

Organised by the Nigerian Union of Journalists, the Chairman, Board of Trustees, Vision Centre for Communication and Development Advocacy, Otunba Gbenga Onayiga, challenged journalists to explore opportunities in public relations, advertising and entrepreneurial skills, among others, as viable means of survival after retirement.

Further advising them to plan for the rainy day, he said: “There must be life after journalism practice. Journalists must learn entrepreneurial skills to fall back on after they retire from practice”.

He added that most media practitioners indulge in alcohol, smoking and womanising, which the board chairman stressed, later in life, tell on their health at retirement.

He also urged journalists to have a retirement plan, saying: “Because of the nature of our jobs, we are too engrossed in it, as it is a 24/7 job. We don’t have time to plan for our future. We need to plan for our future as sack and retirement are imminent”.

Giving solutions on retirement plans, Onayiga advised journalists to buy into projects such as investing in landed properties (housing and farmlands), cooperative societies, limiting expenses, exploring public relations and advertising practice.

Other opportunities, he stated, are, being a stringer for international media organisations and writing biographies for people, who have untold stories as streams of income, as well as acquiring more academic qualifications to prepare for life after practice.

Los Angeles Times columnist, Steve Lopez, in his book about confronting the dilemma of whether to retire or not, titled "Independence Day: What I Learned About Retirement From Some Who've Done It And Some Who Never Will," shares the experience of retirees.

Those who failed to plan, according to a survey he carried out, died few years after, while others especially journalists, continued to write.

His survey was limited to the American experience, but it is also relevant to all journalists around the world. A few journalists in Cameroon, who retired, have had jobs outside the profession; others have gone into media business. But the vast majority who were in the public focus while they work, have gone into oblivion.

Nonetheless, journalism is one of the few professions where retirement doesn't mean being tired of writing. It offers an opportunity to reflect and write in leisure without the stress and pressures of deadlines.

In Cameroon, the iconic veterans of yesteryears have mostly gone into a life of recluse from public view. Some have been employed in jobs not relevant to their profession while others are in the "villages".

But wherever they do or where they are based, their lifestyles should serve as an example to emulate by those on the beats and veering towards retirement, which should never be considered as a sanction.