Survey finds more than half of Kenyan journalists earn below Sh50,000 a month
A KUJ and Media Council of Kenya report released on Friday found that 52 per cent of journalists earn under Sh50,000 a month. It also found that 65 per cent show moderate to severe depressive symptoms.
More than half of Kenyan journalists earn less than Sh50,000 a month, according to a survey by the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK). The Standard reported that 52 per cent fall below that level. The average monthly salary is Sh63,000. The report, titled The Pain Behind the Byline: State of Welfare and Social Protection for Journalists in Kenya, was unveiled on Friday at a one-day media conference. Co-operatives Cabinet Secretary Wycliffe Oparanya gave the keynote address, The Eastleigh Voice reported. The Standard said the survey sampled 120 journalists across different ranks and media houses. Of these, 55 per cent work as correspondents, freelancers or contributors without permanent employment. Some 48 per cent had not had a salary review in more than three years. Another 82 per cent received no allowances or bonuses. Journalists work an average of 8.5 hours a day. More than 65 per cent reported heavier workloads over the past five years with no matching rise in pay. The report also looked at mental health. According to The Eastleigh Voice, 65 per cent of respondents showed moderate to severe depressive symptoms, and 25 per cent fell in the severe category. Some 80 per cent said the symptoms affected their daily work, but only 25 per cent had sought professional help. The assessment used the PHQ-9 screening…
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