SECTOR 4 were always at hand (in exchange for something),1 which sums up the practice of accepting little bribes in exchange for publishing articles. Prices per ‘service’ are known in these circles and increased from 3,000 CFA (about €5) to 10,000 CFA (about €15). 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: 1.2 (2009: 1.4) 4.8 Salary levels and general working conditions for journalists and other media practitioners are adequate. This aspect of the profession is, according to general opinion and the way a panellist put it, one of the profession’s big blots. The average salary for a junior journalist presently ranges between 0 to 50,000 CFA (between 0 and €76). Those bearing degrees can expect anything from 100,000 CFA (about €152) upwards and the most senior ones earn 150,000 CFA (about €229). According to the panel, this salary scale is neither in line with staff qualifications nor with the cost of living even less with the law since the Collective Bargaining Agreement prescribes 140,000 CFA (about €213) for middle income brackets and 25,000 CFA (about €38) for transport allowence. Equipment media houses use are most often antiquated or simply non-existent. Certain panellists critisise the growing number of journalists without insurance, pension or social cover. They compare them with “workers who moonlight but work in broad daylight.” While the FSDP (Press Support and Development Fund) has promised improved equipment (provision of computers and printers), those that are likely to benefit are probably those media workers employed by the main newspapers. 1 “Petit argent, petit papier” (small money, small papers) AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER COTE D’IVOIRE 2012 111