SECTOR 4 the panel suggests that the media’s commitment to recognise the self-regulatory authority should be made official and given substance, in the form of a solemn undertaking, as is the case with the “pagne du serment” (cloth of the oath) worn by the women of Caucus Parité.21 For some members of the group, incorporating the self-regulatory mechanism into the new Press Code will endow it with the full force of the law and, consequently, solve the problem of its legitimacy. Then, regrets a panellist, the authority will no longer be a mere option open to the media and citizens. And, by the same token, it will assume the trappings of a regulatory authority. Indeed, the CNRA is an autonomous administrative authority whose decisions have the force of law, whereas the CORED is an association of professionals who join it voluntarily and are free not to become members. 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: 1.9 (2010:2.4; 2008:2.2; 2006:2.8) 4.3 Salary levels and general working conditions for journalists and other media practitioners, including their safety, are adequate. The salaries and general conditions of employment of media professionals are governed by the collective agreement of journalists and media technicians. However, some panellists were quick to add that the agreement, adopted and signed in 1991, “is largely outdated” today, considering the 50% devaluation of the CFA Franc in 1994, the very high cost of living in Dakar and the higher cost of living generally, throughout the country. According to the agreement, the basic salary of a professional journalist beginner is a little less than 200,000 CFA (4,000 US dollars). Compared to other categories of workers, civil servants in particular, this is equal to the salary of the “A” hierarchy. But, one panellist admits, in relation to the cost of living, this is insufficient. Which is why, adds another speaker, a new collective agreement is under negotiation. Moreover, certain press enterprises do not respect the minimum set by the collective agreement. According to the estimation of a participant, 60% of press 21 Women’s movement for gender equality. AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SENEGAL 2013 115