SECTOR 4 These two instruments work more or less in complementarity. The media observatory drew most of its guidelines from the media code. They also have to share the space in promoting good conduct with the statutory High Council. So far, there is no evidence of conflict between the two bodies. Unfortunately, the existence of self-regulatory initiatives in the industry has not improved the standard of journalism in the country. Even though journalists voluntarily instituted a code of conduct for the industry, it is often not respected. Newsrooms have also not taken the relay to create in-house guidelines for reporters and editors. 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: 2.7 4.3 Salary levels and general working conditions for journalists and other media practitioners, including their safety, are adequate. Journalists and other media practitioners are generally underpaid. The entry level salary in the public service is CFAF 90,000 (about 137 Euro) per month and the highest pay hardly goes above CFAF 450,000 (686 Euro) per month. Journalists of the public media are paid following the same rules that apply in the civil service. Nonetheless, a Special Statute published in 1982 and which is being revised, grant special bonuses and indemnities to public media workers. It is expected that the index value which was CFAF 200 (0,30 Euro) in 2013 will increase by 50 per cent in 2014. The pay is much lower in the private sector. In the worst cases, some private media houses like Radio Liberté , do not pay their journalists, which are therefore forced to live on tips and favours from news sources and event organisers. 114 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO 2013