SECTOR 4 4.3 Salary levels and general working conditions, including safety, for journalists and other media practitioners are adequate. The general working conditions and compensation vary dramatically between media institutions, the public media, and the private media. Within media companies, wages also vary, especially between permanent employees, trainees and temporary staff. In the public media, most of the reporters are civil servants who earn a monthly salary between 400,000 and 600,000 CFA francs (US$ 695 -1043), or even more. At the same time, the salary of temporary employees or those waiting to be integrated into the public service vary between 100,000 and 150,000 CFA francs (US$ 174 - 260). Public media institutions also use external collaborators who are paid even less. A panellist states that work conditions in the private media can be compared to slavery. Only a small part of the editorial staff is composed of employees with a contract and salary. The majority of employees have the status of trainees or freelancers. In general, salaries are poor and irregular, or even uncertain. The Union made an exception with regard to wages and general working conditions in the private media: wages are more consistent and regular. Its journalists also have health insurance, which covers 100% medical expenses of permanent employees and 75% for the others. In general, the safety of journalists is not guaranteed. Harassment of journalists by security forces and other powerful groups is a recurring phenomenon. Echo du Nord was forced to change premises after several attacks by the security forces. 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: 102 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GABON 2016 2.5