SECTOR 4 4.2 The media follow voluntary codes of professional standards, which are enforced by independent statutory bodies that deal with complaints from the public There is no independent, non-legislative self-regulatory body per se. Rather, the OJM is enshrined in the law on media communication. Article 57 of the Communication Code mandates the OJM to guarantee the rules of ethics and deontology. Journalists’ duties and obligations are stipulated in the ethical rules set out in article 58 of the Communication Code. Work on a draft code of ethics began but was not successful, neither was the introduction of the national charter for journalists as a binding instrument. The associations of journalists each have their own charter. There is no self-regulatory body dealing with public complaints. In article 59, the Communication Code provides that the OJM shall set up a disciplinary board to deal with breaches of rules, ethics and professional conduct. The OJM should handle complaints through this board, but no meeting has ever been convened thus far. 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: Score of previous years: ✓ ✓✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓✓ ✓✓✓ 2.5 2006: 2.3; 2008: 2.9; 2010: 1.8; 2012: 2.6; 2016: 1.8 4.3 Salary levels and general working conditions, including safety, for journalists and other media practitioners are adequate The state and the public administration raised the level of the minimum hiring wage to ariary 200,000 (US$54) monthly. However, some media outlets pay their journalists less, and sometimes beginners must make do with ariary 150,000 (US$40). Broadcasting stations and media houses often do not hire qualified journalists due to economic reasons. However, the panel pointed out that a journalist who does not have the required academic level and knowledge is “a danger to society”. Due to insufficient compensation, the practice of “felaka” (bribes in the form of money in envelopes to thank journalists for their services) is becoming commonplace. Although some media outlets provide their employees with decent salary and benefits including health coverage, pension and insurance, 42 AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER MADAGASCAR 2019