SECTOR 4

4.8
Salary levels and general working conditions
for journalists and other media practitioners are
adequate.
Salaries for journalists working for mainstream media houses are fairly adequate.
Journalists are paid well at SABC, but their working conditions leave much to be
desired. Salaries for journalists at community radio stations range from fair to
non-existent.
Working conditions are deteriorating all the time because of constant staff cuts.
Fewer people are doing more and end up working long unsociable shifts.

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: 			

2.9 (2008 = n/a; 2006 = n/a)

4.9
Media professionals have access to training
facilities offering formal qualification programmes as
well as opportunities to upgrade skills.
Journalism and/or media studies and qualifications are available at most
universities. A few universities also offer post-graduate journalism degrees, for
example Witwatersrand University in Johannesburg, Rhodes University in
Grahamstown and the University of Stellenbosch.
The Johannesburg-based Institute for the Advancement of Journalism (IAJ) is
currently doing an assessment of training needs in the industry and findings show
that in general the quantity and quality of training offered has declined over the
years. There is a disconnect between the skills needed in the working environment
and the training offered, due to a lack of formal relationships between academic
institutions and the media industry.

66

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2010

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