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:

1.9 (2010: 2.6; 2007: n/a)

4.8 Salary levels and general working conditions for
journalists and other media practitioners are adequate.
Working conditions in radio are harsher than those in the major newspaper
groups. Most people working in radio do not have contracts, and broadcasters
rely on poorly paid freelance contributors for their news.
Journalists tend not to be paid overtime on the grounds that journalists’ pay is
higher than that for other professions such as accountants.
Panellists working for the major newspaper companies, The Daily Monitor and
New Vision, were relatively satisfied with their working conditions. “There are the
tools I need as a journalist: sufficient computers, recorders, and I am facilitated
adequately when I am going to the field.” If journalists work late, there is usually
a car available to take them home.
Nonetheless, allowances vary between media houses. The Daily Monitor pays its
journalists USD50 per day when in Somalia, while New Vision pays an allowance
of USD150 per day for the same assignment.
“Salary levels will always be debated. This year we didn’t have a salary increment
because of the economic situation. It was adequately discussed. But that is us. For
others, the working conditions go from bad to worse to pathetic.”

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER UGANDA 2012

69

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