SECTOR 4 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: 1.7 (2009: 2.3) 4.9 Media professionals have access to training facilitates offering formal qualification programmes as well as opportunities to upgrade skills. Côte d’Ivoire boasts a number of public training structures in the field of media. For basic training, the University of Abidjan offers a training course at CERCOM (Centre for Education and Research in Communication). There also is the Institute for Communication Sciences and Technologies (ISTC), established in 1992. Study fees make admittance unfortunately highly selective and vary between 700,000 to one million CFA per year (between €1,068 and €1,526). With regards to standards, the panellists believe that the number of hours for the classes per course does not allow for quality training. They also believe that these institutes are poorly equipped and obsolete. The panellists henceforth worry about practical training. They are also concerned about how these training courses respond to the media’s current requirements, given that a significant aspect of the course focuses on communication sciences, which does not quite require the same qualifications. Ongoing professional development is a problem the media faces since 1990. Back then, staff was sent to France for further training. The panellists label the state of professional development in the realm of media as rather dyscfunctional. Reasons brought forward vary. Directors complain about limited staff capacity, it is becoming more and more difficult, if not plain impossible, to substitute staff that is away for training. Directors, therefore often impose the option of attending evening classes. In worse cases, staff cannot claim their job back at the end of their training. Furthermore, some employers refuse to pay for these training courses, leaving their staff with this burden, even though the Collective Bargaining Agreement puts the onus to contribute towards ongoing professional development, on the companies. At times, the curriculum for ongoing training becomes a burden for professional development. The panellists further critisise ‘quick fix’ training 112 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER COTE D’IVOIRE 2012