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Faithful, Patriotic, Overworked, Exploited:Findings of a survey on journalists’Findings of a survey on  journalists  

conditions of service

Levi Zeleza MandaDepartment of Journalism and Media Studies, The Polytechnic,

University of Malawi.

1

30 June 2010

Who qualifies as journalist?Who qualifies as journalist?

Article 2

In the [JUMA] Constitution, unless the context otherwise provides 

• “Journalist” means a person who has‐• a qualification of journalism from a recognized institution of 

journalism; or• practiced  as a journalist for a period of three years;• and has been accredited as a Journalist by the Media Council of 

Malawi“f l J li ” j li h h l• “freelance Journalists” means a journalist who has no regular employment

2

JUMA’s Mandate

Constitution accessible from http://jumamw.com/constitution.html

• promote the pay and working conditions of Members;• promote and protect the social, professional, and

intellectual interests of the Members;• look after the copyright interests of Members includinglook after the copyright interests of Members including

entering into agreements or contracts on behalf of itsmembers relating to the us, including photocopying;television and radio programmes; and education, ofpublished works of the members .

• promote the highest possible standards of ethics andintegrity among Members;g y g

• promote and protect rule of law, human rights; andfreedom of the press; and

• influence media politics and policiesinfluence media politics and policies.

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The SurveyThe Survey• Conducted between May 12 and 20, 2010

• NAMISA membership formed main sampling frameNAMISA membership formed main sampling frame

• Media Houses formed secondary sampling frame

• Media/journalists concentration was subsidiary sampling frame

• 60 journalists contacted, 52 responded, representingapproximately 25.7% of documented journalists working inMalawiMalawi

• Three major cities (Mzuzu, Lilongwe and Blantyre) and onedistrict neighboring these cities visited.

• All prominent media owners/managers contacted so as to helpthe survey compare responses.

• Some journalists working outside mainstreaming were contactedSome journalists working outside mainstreaming were contactedfor purposes of comparison of conditions of service.

4

Survey ProcessSurvey Process• 3 experienced enumerators worked in the Blantyre‐Limbe area

(and one visited Zomba as Blantyre neighbouring district(and one visited Zomba as Blantyre neighbouring district.

• 2 experienced enumerators based in Lilongwe visited selectedjournalists in Lilongwe (and one visited Dedza)

• 1 experienced enumerator visited selected Mzuzu basedjournalists and Nkhata Bay)

• Survey was coordinated by Mr LZ Manda with backstopping fromSurvey was coordinated by Mr LZ Manda with backstopping fromCopyright Society of Malawi (COSOMA)

• Funding for the survey came from NORAD through Copyright

• The Survey had the backing of the International Federation ofJournalists (Africa Office, Dakar, Senegal) and the SouthernAfrican Journalists Association (SAJ, Johannesburg, South( , g,Africa).)

5

Objectives of the surveyObjectives of the survey

• Establish salary scales of three categories ofEstablish salary scales of three categories ofjournalists: Editors, Sub‐editors & Reporters

• Establish existence of core conditions of• Establish existence of core conditions ofjournalism employment (mutually agreedcontracts; editorial policies copyrightcontracts; editorial policies, copyrightownership of material produced/published)

E bli h if ili k h j li• Establish if prevailing take home journalistssalaries are in tandem with the cost of living.

6

LimitationsLimitations

• Media owners were contacted as one way of comparing theirs with theresponses journalists gave. Only two media owners responded, whichanswers were not enough to adduce trends. It is not clear as to why mediaowners were unwilling to complete the survey questionnaire.

• Some journalists working outside the mainstream media were contactedas one way of comparing conditions of service. Only one responded. Notenough to provide trends.

• It was interesting to note that while journalists want interviewees toanswer questions almost immediately, they did not seem willing to answerthe survey questions in situ even when it was mentioned that thei f i ld b d fid i ll S h d b dinformation would be used confidentially. Some had to be contacted morethree times to fill in the questionnaire. When they did, some did somechanically, jumping some sections of the questionnaire. This could bethe result of respondent fatiguethe result of respondent fatigue.

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FindingsFindings

8

Geographic distribution of drespondents

Geographic Distribution of respondentsSouth North Centre

66%

17%

17%

9

Gender of RespondentsGender of Respondents

Respondents' GenderMale Female

42%

58%

10

Age distributionAge distribution

Age (years)

12%11%

15‐24 25‐34 35‐44 45+

13%

64%64%

11

Respondents’ Marital statusRespondents  Marital status

Respondents' Marital status

2%

Married Single Divorced Separated Widowed

43%

55%

12

Media Respondents Belong toMedia Respondents Belong to

Media type respondents belong toPrint Television Radio Other (eg PR organisations)

21%

2%

15%

62%

13

Position of RespondentsPosition of Respondents

Positions of respondentsEditors Sub‐editors Reporters

24%

53%

23%

53%

14

Academic/Professional QualificationsAcademic/Professional Qualifications

Academic/Professional Qualifications of Respondents

19%

2%

MSCE  Diploma First Degree Masters

49%

19%

30%

15

Age vs. RankAge vs. Rank

Age and position

20

25

15

Rank Reporter

b dit

5

10sub‐editor

Editor

Managing Editor

0

15‐24 25‐34 35‐44 45‐54 55+

Age range (years)Age range (years)

16

Gender Vs. PositionGender Vs. Position

Gender Vs Position:Female

5%14%

0%

Cub Reporter Sub‐editor Editor Managing Editor

24%

57%

17

Gender Vs. PositionGender Vs. Position

Gender Vs Position:Male

3%7%

Cub Reporter Sub‐editor Editor Managing Editor

41%

21%

28%

18

Salary RangesSalary Ranges

Salary ranges

12%

Under K10,000 K10,001‐20,000 K20,001‐30,000 K30,001‐40,000 K40,001‐50,000 K50,001‐60,000 K70,000+

13%

25%

25%10%

10%

5%

Note: MK 150 = US$1.00 19

Media Council findings on salaries ( )(2001)

2001 journalists' salaries

3%6%

<5000 5>10 10>15 15>20 20>25 25>40 40+

34%

14%

9%

20%

14%

20%

20Note: MK 67.29 = US$1.00 

Preferred minimum salary rangesPreferred minimum salary ranges

Prefered minimum salary

7%21%

20,000‐30,000 30,000‐40,000 50000‐60000 60000‐70000 70,000+

14%21%

36%

22%

21

Reporter SalariesReporter Salaries

Reporter salaries

7% 3%

<10,000 10>20 20‐30 40‐50 70+

28%

14%48%

22

Sub Editor SalarySub Editor Salary

Sub‐editor salaries

9%

<10,000 10>20 50‐60 60‐70 70+

9%

18%%

18%

9%

55%

23

Editor SalaryEditor Salary

Editor salaries30‐40 40‐50 50‐60 60‐70 70+

29%29%

14%14%

14%

24

Additional incomeAdditional income

Perks (housing allowance, medical care, etc)

23%

Below 10,000 10,001‐20000 20,001‐30,000 30,001‐40,000 40,001‐50,000 50,001‐60,000 none

23%

8%

45%

8%

4%

10%

2%8%

25

Cost of LivingCost of Living70,000

50,000

60,000

30,000

40,000

Cost M

K

Blantyre

Lilongwe

10 000

20,000

Zomba

Mzuzu

0

10,000

January February March April

Month 2010Month 2010

Based on data from http://www.cfscmalawi.org/bnb_pub.html26

Cost of Living Trends 2010Cost of Living Trends 201070,000

50,000

60,000

40,000Blantyre

Lilongwe

20,000

30,000 Zomba

Mzuzu

0

10,000

J F b M h A ilJanuary February March April

Based on data from http://www.cfscmalawi.org/bnb_pub.html27

Prevailing Working Environment

Challenges

8%4%

Demotivating conditions of work Inadequate resources Unfriendly sources interference (editors/owners/govt)

39%

49%

(Respondents were asked to indicate positive and negative conditions) 28

Prevailing Working EnvironmentPrevailing Working Environment

Conducive conditions

7%

Professional/good working environment Adequate Resources Friendly sources

29%

64%

(Respondents were asked to indicate positive and negative conditions) 29

Employment Contract Signed?Employment Contract Signed?

Employment contract signed?

10%

Yes No Declined  to answer

34%56%

30

For signed contractsFor signed contracts

Adherence to contract by employee

0% 13%

strictly somehow Not at all Declined to answer

42%

45%

31

For signed contractsFor signed contracts

Adherence to contract by employer

22%

strictly somehow Not at all Declined to answer

25%

6%

22%

47%

32

CopyrightCopyright

Contract clear about copyright ownership?

18%

Clear No Not sure

36%

46%

33

Contract Not signed?f lAwareness of Employment Act

Employment Act Awareness

13%

Yes No Not sure

33%

54%

34

Editorial PolicyEditorial Policy

Existence of editorial policy

10%

Available & aware Not aware Not available Declined to answer

47%

4%

39%

35

Satisfaction with Editorial PolicySatisfaction with Editorial Policy

Yes No Somehow

12%

16%

72%

36

Membership of media associationMembership of media association

Media Associations Respondents belong toNAMISA MEDIA COUNCIL JUMA

Association of Business of Journalists LL Press Club  Nyika Media Club

MAMWA GEMMA MCORA

Mzuzu Journalists Against HIV&AIDS BT Press Club None

27%

1%

1% 6%

14%

21%

8%

5%

1%1%

12%

1%3%

37

Awareness of JUMA ConstitutionAwareness of JUMA Constitution

Awareness of JUMA constitutionAware Not aware

37%

63%

38

Outstanding commentsOutstanding comments

• On the need to join media AssociationOn the need to join media Association– “I don’t want [to join any organisation]”

• On existence of written editorial policy

– "Haven't had time to read but I am aware it exists"

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Interpretation and discussionInterpretation and discussion

• Most journalists are young (77% aged below 35 years) and single (55%) hi h th f t f j li i M l i i d(55%), which means the future of journalism in Malawi is assured. The age distribution has not changed much since 2003 when a Malawi Institute of Journalism Survey established that young journalists constituted 76% (Manda & Malunda, 2003:9).j ( , )

• Most of young people are reporters. No one above 35 years is a reporter. No editor is aged below 35 years. Reporting is riskiest media work, yet it is left to young and inexperienced members (57% f h f l d th f t l(57% of whom are female and therefore more prone to sexual abuse)

• The majority of journalists work for radio stations. This could the result of the rapid expansion of the sector lately (approximately 21result of the rapid expansion of the sector lately (approximately 21 radio stations)

• 79% are not educated beyond diploma level and only 2% hold Master’s level education.

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InterpretationInterpretation

• The CFC cost of living trends indicate since January 2010, an average household in Mzuzu, Zomba, Lilongwe and Blantyre spends no less than K40,000/month, yet 55% of journalists earn below that y jmark.  This exposes journalists to exploitation, corruption and unethical behaviour.

• 67% of respondents propose a justifiable minimum of67% of respondents propose  a justifiable minimum of K50,000/month.

• Some 55% claimed they received additional income and perks in form of medical scheme company loansand perks in form of medical scheme, company loans, TV and fuel payments, 45% received no other benefit than their salaries.

41In 2001 K40,000 =US$594.44. In 2010 K40,000 = US$266.67)

InterpretationInterpretation

• Heartening that 56% reported to have signed ea te g t at 56% epo ted to a e s g edcontracts although 47% of these alleged the contract obligations were not strictly adhered to  b lby employers.

• 67% of journalists without written signed t t t f th i i f thcontracts were not aware of the provisions of the 

Employment Act  of 2000 (sec 26) that any employee who serves more than 12 months isemployee who serves more than 12 months is deemed a permanent employee with access to pension/severance pay.

42

InterpretationInterpretation

• Copyright is the right one has to benefit fromCopyright is the right one has to benefit fromone’s creative work. Journalists create works(cartoons, features, etc) which need to beprotected against gainful abuse. Thearrangement should be in contract. Some

d h i h d h lreported their contracts had such clauses.However, 46% reported that their contractshad no copyright ownership clause or thehad no copyright ownership clause or thecontracts were not clear on copyrightownershipownership.

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InterpretationInterpretation

• Gratifying that 47% reported their news organisations hadd l l d f dwritten editorial policies and 72% were satisfied.

• For purposes of networking, belonging, etc, most respondents(86%) belonged to media associations but 14% did not for

l i l di th t th “did t t ”several reasons including that they “did not want ”.• 63% were not aware of the JUMA constitution, which

probably explains why only 12% of the respondents weremembers of JUMAmembers of JUMA.

• In some media organisations a climate of fear and uncertaintyprevails. 10% could not answer whether or not they hadsigned a contract while all those who signed contracts claimedsigned a contract while all those who signed contracts claimedthey adhered to their employment obligations but 6%refused to say whether or not their employers adhered to thecontracts.contracts.

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ConclusionConclusion• Except for a few public and private media organisations which treat their

employees as professionals most media organisations do not seem toemployees as professionals, most media organisations do not seem tohave the welfare of their staff at heart.

• Conditions of service of journalists have not changed much since 2001when the Media Council of Malawi conducted a similar survey. As the

h l dreport points out there are journalists in some media organisations(mostly private radio stations) who earn less than K10,000(US$66.7) butwork long hours like any other journalists.

• Journalists are generally mistreated. In some cases (such as the Malawig y (News Agency) some journalists have on been internship for more than tenyears and senior reporters/editors who earn less than K30,000 (US$200).Some journalists work as “volunteers” for religious and community mediawhere they are remunerated dismally. Conditions of service are tooy ydeplorable to be discussed any further.

• In short, most journalists are faithful, patriotic and hard working but theythoroughly exploited.

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RecommendationsRecommendations

• JUMA in partnership with the Law Society of Malawi should lead a campaign for writtenl i i ll di i f i hi i l l iemployment contracts containing all conditions of service as this is a legal requirement

(sections 27) for employees. No journalist should treated as a volunteer.

• JUMA should lead a sensitisation campaign of journalists and media owners about theEmployment Act (particularly at MANA‐ where some have been on internship for 10 years‐,religious and private radio stations)

• Although studies indicate that across Africa journalists salaries are low, compared to otherprofessionals (BBC World Service Trust, 2006:43) and that worldwide, there is no standardsystem for determining minimum salaries for journalists (IFJ, 1992:24), JUMA shouldy g j ( )advocate for a journalists’ minimum wage and upward salary adjustment that is tandem withthe cost of living. JUMA proposes minimum of K50,000 (US$ 333.33) to respond to the costof living in Malawi.

• JUMA needs to market itself more seriously by making itself more visible (offices, posters, TVJUMA needs to market itself more seriously by making itself more visible (offices, posters, TVand Radio ads, website awareness).

• The Copyright Society of Malawi, Media Council of Malawi, NAMISA and JUMA should joinhands in ensuring that a written a copyright clause is included in all contracts. This willminimise the unacknowledged copying of material for publication elsewhere an abuse thatminimise the unacknowledged copying of material for publication elsewhere, an abuse thathas reached worrying levels.

46

RecommendationsRecommendations• Media Council of Malawi should oblige all media organisations

to have written media policies in all newsrooms. These shouldpbe made known to all employees.

• Among demotivating conditions that respondents complainedabout was lack or inadequacy of training opportunities MIJ andabout was lack or inadequacy of training opportunities. MIJ andthe Polytechnic should endeavour to plan and provide flexiblecourses for those 49% who hold no more than MSCE. Mediah h ld h d f hhouses should have upgrading training programmes for theiremployees.

• Although it is the responsibility the Media Council of Malawi tog p yprovide a list of accredited journalism training institutions, JUMAencourages those who qualified but failed to secure places inthe University of Malawi to try out alternative routes such as thethe University of Malawi to try out alternative routes such as theBlantyre International University (www.biu.ac.mw).

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ReferencesReferences

• BBC World Service Trust.2006. African Media fDevelopment Initiative. London: BBC World Service Trust.

• IFJ 1992 Collective Bargaining Handbook• IFJ.1992.Collective Bargaining Handbook. Geneva: International Federation of Journalists.

• Media Council of Malawi. 2001. A Survey of theMedia Council of Malawi. 2001. A Survey of the Media Industry in Malawi. Lilongwe: Media Council of Malawi. M d LZ & M l d HJ 2003 R f• Manda, LZ & Malunda, HJ.2003.  Report of a Needs Assessment Survey. Blantyre: Malawi Institute of Journalism.

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