IFJ Calls on Journalists to Join Global Wage Survey

IFJ President, Jim Boumelha

24 October 2011

The International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) today calls on journalists around the world to take part in a global wage survey "WageIndicator" to campaign for decent pay to journalists and to narrow the gender pay gap in journalism.

In a letter addressed to its affiliates, the IFJ called on all its members to participate in a global wage survey conducted by WageIndicator, to measure wages of over 1,500 different occupations and 400 industries in over 56 countries around the world.

"Too many journalists face wage discrimination in the workplace," said Beth Costa, IFJ General Secretary. "And gender pay gap in the profession is still persisting."

Female journalists still earn 17.6% less than their male colleagues with an average hourly rate of US $13.68, according to the wage survey results released last year.

"The positive news is that the gender pay gap is lower for unionised employees than for employees who are not members of a trade union," said Costa. "Trade union membership narrows the income gap by 6%."

"At a time when many journalists face salary cuts and deteriorating working conditions, such information is particularly helpful in salary and benefit negotiations," stressed Costa. "We encourage our colleagues to participate in this global survey."

The IFJ partnered with WageIndicator and launched a Decent Wage Campaign in July 2010 to raise awareness among journalists of their rights to decent pay for their work and to decent working conditions.

The data collected will be analysed in a report on Gender Pay Gap in Journalism, which will be published by the IFJ on International Women's Day in 2012. 

Please visit your country's wage survey website below and fill in the survey before 30 November, 2011.

For more information regarding the survey, please contact +32 2 235 226.

The IFJ represents over 600,000 journalists in 125 countries worldwide