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: ✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ 1.6 (2015: 2.2, 2012: 1.4, 2010: 1.6, 2008: 1.1, 2006: 1.0) 4.3 Salary levels and general working conditions, including safety, for journalists and other media practitioners are adequate 'Salaries for journalists in Lesotho are very poor and pathetic. It is a very sad situation.’ Entry-level journalists in the private media earn approximately 1,500 to 2,000 M (105 to 140 USD) for month. An untrained journalist can earn as little as 500 M (36 USD). Middle to senior level journalists generally earn 3,000 to 4,000 M (210 to 280 USD). ‘Sometimes when you reach 4,000 M, the media house pushes you out because you become expensive.’ It is important to note that in the private media, people often negotiate their salaries. Salaries therefore differ from one media practitioner to the next, as there are no set standards. Editors in some private media (for example at the Lesotho Times and Public Eye) are from outside the country and can negotiate their salaries. Their salaries range from 15,000 to 20,000 M (1,050 to 1,400 USD). Salaries in the private media are also determined by the level of advertising the media house is able to secure. In addition, job benefits are poor as many media houses do not provide medical aid or pension. Journalists also work with limited resources, with no cameras or cars to transport them while on coverage. Even when journalists are injured on the job, most media houses do not pay for the associated medical bills. For example, when journalist Lloyd Mutangamiri from the Lesotho Times was shot, he did not receive any support from his media house. ‘The family has been suffering.’ The state media pays its journalists better salaries as they are considered public servants and their salaries are regulated by the Ministry of Public Service. In 45 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER LESOTHO 2018