BY: MOHAMED SAHR
A recent study conducted by the Media Reform Coordinating Group Sierra Leone (MRCG-SL) has shed light on the appalling welfare conditions faced by journalists in the country, with a staggering 48.3% receiving salaries below the minimum wage.
The comprehensive study, published in May 2024, delved into the challenges confronting journalists in Sierra Leone, highlighting pervasive issues such as low monthly wages, ineffective National Social Security and Insurance Trust (NASSIT) coverage, and inadequate adherence to National Revenue Authority (NRA) requirements. According to the findings, these factors have not only undermined the effectiveness of journalists in their profession but have also exposed them to levels of poverty that compromise the integrity of journalism itself.
The report underscores the precarious nature of journalism, especially within a polarized media landscape, where 40.3% of journalists reported never receiving salaries, further exacerbating their financial instability. Moreover, a concerning 59% revealed that their NASSIT memberships were not being honored, while 50% lamented the absence of any other conditions of service.
Ahmed Sahid Nasralla, President of the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, expressed disappointment at the lack of progress in addressing these issues. Despite concerted efforts to obtain a bargaining certificate from the Ministry of Labour and Social Security for the Sierra Leone Reporters Union (SLRU), there has been little success. Nasralla emphasized the continual appeals made by SLAJ to media houses and owners to fulfill their obligations towards media workers.
In response to the distressing findings, the study issued a set of recommendations aimed at ameliorating the plight of journalists. It urged all media institutions to uphold the minimum wage, provide basic allowances, and fulfill social security obligations for their staff. Furthermore, it called upon the Independent Media Commission (IMC) to rigorously enforce provisions pertaining to journalist welfare. National media organizations, including the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists, were urged to prioritize the rights and welfare of media practitioners.
The revelations from the MRCG-SL study underscore the urgent need for systemic reforms to safeguard the well-being and integrity of journalism in Sierra Leone.
