SECTOR 4 The weigh-in allowance is to compensate those journalists who are assigned shifts, working either at night or weekends. But the journalists insist that it is not really significant as the amount involved is about NGN2, 000 (about USD10) per month. Journalists at Voice of Nigeria get a 40% “peculiarity” allowance, which is meant to compensate them for the unique nature of their work in gathering and broadcasting news and information internationally, which also requires them to work for long hours serving an international audience that is on widely different time zones. However, the peculiarity allowance has become quite controversial as it is also paid to administrative staff in Voice of Nigeria which the editorial staff argue, is contrary to and defeats its purpose as the peculiarities applicable to the editorial staff do not apply to administrative staff to warrant their receiving the same allowance. Public media unions such as the Radio and Television Workers’ Union, are still advocating for journalism to be considered a professional corps, which would increase their entry grade into the civil service from Grade Level 8 to 9, and thereby provide for higher entry level salaries and bonuses. Generally, journalists in the private sector are better paid. The problem, however, is that their salaries are not regular. There is also no uniformity in the private sector with respect to salary scales, with big news organisations paying far more than smaller ones. This discrepancy is partly due to the absence of any collectively bargained agreements between unions and employers. Poor salaries force many senior staff to aspire for political jobs, especially as press secretaries in State Governments, or to seek public relations or corporate communication positions in companies and NGOs. 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: 50 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER NIGERIA 2015 2.3 (2008: N/A; 2011: 1.3)