SECTOR 4

4.8
Salary levels and general working conditions
for journalists and other media practitioners are
adequate.
Salary levels are considered low in general terms and they differ widely between
the state broadcaster and other media houses.
The average salary of a reporter with the Ghana Broadcasting Corporation (GBC)
is GHS400 (US$264) and for a newsroom editor between GHS 600 and 700
(US$ 396 – 462). Reporters in the private sector take home similar salaries while
editors are paid around GHS 2000 (US$ 1320). Salaries at the state-owned Daily
Graphic top the list with reporters earning GHS 750 (US$ 495) and editors take
GHS 2500 (US$ 1650). All these salaries come with other benefits like free
medical care.
‘Star journalists’ at radio stations are paid huge salaries to keep them on board as
their names or ‘brands’ are virtually synonymous with those stations.
Small media houses in the private sector offer much lower salaries and are not able
to pay regular wages for months. Many journalists in this sector are temporarily
employed.

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:

2.2 (2008: n/a; 2006: n/a)

AFRICAN MEDIA BAROMETER GHANA 2011

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