SECTOR 4 4.8 Salary levels and general working conditions for journalists and other media practitioners are adequate. Apart from the public media outlets (RTI and Fraternité Matin), the Ivorian private media hardly offers adequate salaries or good working conditions. “Sometimes, there is no salary”, according to a panel member. The application of the collective bargaining agreement for journalists was approved by the unions, employer “Sometimes, there is no associations and the public authorities in 2008. It was salary” to enter into effect at the end of the 18-month grace period during which media outlets were to conform to the regulations and the authorities implement the preliminary fiscal and economic measures. Initially announced for early July 2009, then for end of July 2009, the application of this agreement was still not in effect at the end of August 2009. SYNAPPCI (National Union of Private Media Practitioners in Ivory Coast) has in fact lodged a complaint with the Public Prosecutor against the employers’ association. GEPCI (Group of Press Editors of Ivory Coast) has also filed a complaint to denounce the collective bargaining agreement, in the absence of economic conditions favourable to media outlets. In order to reconcile the two parties, the National Press Board, informed by the Minister of Communication, initiated a mediation process and urged the two parties to refrain from declarations and actions that could compromise the reconciliation attempt. For now, only a handful of private media outlets are coming close to the standard minima while trying to comply with social welfare institutions (retirement, health insurance): the Olympe group, Notre Voie, Nord Sud, Le Patriote. Scores: Individual scores: 1 Country does not meet indicator 2 Country minimally meets aspects of the indicator. 3 Country meets many aspects of indicator but progress may be too recent to judge. 4 Country meets most aspects of indicator. 5 Country meets all aspects of the indicator and has been doing so over time. Average score: 2.3 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER IVORY COAST 2009 123