SECTOR 4 The issues affecting journalists’ working conditions today were considered a global problem as ‘the industry is in crisis’. 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 (2013: 2.8; 2010: 2.9; 2008: n/a; 2006: n/a) 4.4 Journalists and other media practitioners are organised in trade unions and/or professional associations, which effectively represent their interests There are a number of trade unions for media workers, such as the Broadcasting, Electronic, Media and Allied Workers Union (BEMAWU) and the Communication Workers Union (CWU). Neither of these unions focus specifically on print journalists. BEMAWU was considered more for white-collar SABC staff, while the CWU tended to attract blue-collar workers employed by media houses, as well as people from the digital-related industry. The ‘SABC 8’, however, were represented by the Solidarity Union, which is not specific to media and is associated with a white, conservative, Afrikaans membership. It was noted with regret that the South African Union of Journalists (SAUJ) was not operational and considered defunct. This was the one union that specifically focused on print journalists. Some of those who used to be with SAUJ reportedly moved on to the Media Workers Association of South Africa (MWASA), which has a mix of ‘blue-and white-collar workers’, but it was felt that journalists’ issues were not a priority for MWASA. ‘CWU became the dominant media union, but beyond SABC issues, it is very ineffective. The unions are generally very poor and weak in taking up workers and employees’ rights.’ 53 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER SOUTH AFRICA 2018