The Speaker of Parliament, Anita Among has called on media owners to ensure journalists and media workers are paid their hard-earned salaries as the world celebrates the World Press Freedom Day.
Among made this call on Wednesday, 03 May 2023 while making her communication to the House and noted that poor or no pay has led to journalists not doing their work effectively including reporting unfairly.
Among reiterated the need for media owners to pay journalists and media workers their salaries promptly.
She urged media outlets to ensure that journalists are rewarded for their hard work and that working conditions are improved in newsrooms, especially radio stations across the country.
Among noted that unpaid salaries have been prevalent in many media outlets in the country, leading to journalists not exercising professionalism in their reporting.
She argued that the situation has compromised the quality of journalism in the country.
“We also want to urge the private sector that much as these people work for you, you should be able to always pay them in time,” Among said.
She said that her office has received a lot of complaints from especially radio stations and televisions who have not been paid for over a year.
“The private sector should ensure that journalists are paid in time; they have families, they have homes, they have children that they cater for. These people need to be paid for them to work effectively and do better reporting,” Among added.
This year’s theme for World Press Freedom Day as defined by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) is, “Shaping a Future of Rights: Freedom of expression as a driver for all other human rights”.
