Before the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis, some media organisations have been defaulting in payment of salaries and allowances of their staff. The situation has however become complicated with virtually all the major media houses unable to meet their normal obligations.
Some are still unable to pay, some paid a percentage of normal salaries and there are indications of forced leave and possible lay off of staff.
Media Career spoke with staff of many media organisations in the country on the payment of their salaries and other measures already announced or being considered to cope with the impact of COVID-19. We reproduce the responses below:
International Centre for Investigative Reporting (ICIR)
The ICIR has continued to pay salaries to staff and allowances to NYSC youth corps members and interns. Salaries up till April fully paid. In addition, the Centre pays an additional allowance to staff to cover fuel, Data and communication.
Daily Times
Any infraction now, you get suspended for three months or your salary is docked.Anything from late coming to if management thinks your report is not comprehensive enough.We don’t even know what can earn us surcharge or suspension. So between the threats, we just pray.
We have been paid. We are government pikin. We have not heard of any current or forthcoming upheaval and we pray we won’t hear of any
The Cable
Salaries paid as and when due. March salary on March 23 and April salary on the 21st. Data allowance doubled during the lockdown. No salary cuts. Salaries were increased across the board in February before COVID-19.
THISDAY
THISDAY has only paid December in March. We are yet to receive any salary for this year.
Three weeks ago, the Chairman sent a memo to all staff saying that some people have been receiving salary without Input.
He asked that we send the links to all the stories we have been writing since January till date to him after which payment will be processed in 24 hours (Three weeks ago). As I speak, even after sending all the links, no payment has been made.
We are yet to get any 2020 salary. Meanwhile, Arise staff have been duly paid.
Premium Times
Premium Times is not owing us. They pay our salaries on the exact date. They also pay us transport allowance during the COVID crisis too.
READ ALSO: COVID-19: Lay off, salary slash, forced leave in PUNCH, Nigeria Info, TVC, others
Daily Independent
We have not been paid for April. We have even not fully received out February salary. We have not heard maybe they want to cut salary, but there are rumours that they want to downsize. I don’t know when and how they want to do it.
Daar (AIT/RAYPOWER)
Staffers were paid N30,000 across the board for the current salaries. This excludes past salaries.
TV/RADIO
There have been issues before now as regards salary payment as they claim money isn’t coming in as much but we were still getting paid. But since April, there has been a price slash of 25% for those earning 100k and above. 20% for those earning between 70k and 100k, 15% for those earning between 30k and 70k and for those below 30k, there’s no cut.
Leadership
LEADERSHIP has not been paying even before the pandemic. Staff survive from events and adverts they are able to source.
BusinessDay
We have been paid for the month of April, but it was half of the normal salary. Pay cut was applied.
Sun
We have a delay in payment can’t confirm the percentage.
New Telegraph
The full salary was not paid. 80 % of the salary paid. The initial rumour at the office was that there wouldn’t be the salary for April because there were no sales, let alone adverts. But the MD surprised everyone and paid 80 %. Even though management argued for half salary, which was 50 % of our salaries.
But we don’t know what is going to happen in May. The situation caused by coronavirus, is actually a trying one for journalists and media houses.
For the safety of our lives, the management asked us to work from home, which most of us had been doing. The move is also to reduce the number of people in the office.
There are people, who have to be in the office but don’t have means of transportation like me.
Management made provisions to pick them from their nearest bus stops, while those that have cars, sometimes pick those living close to them.
Another measure was the cutting down on pages. These days, we choose days to go to the office or you work from home. But people go to the office on their busiest days. Some don’t even come at all, but send their stories. Journalism can never be the same ever again
Daily Trust
50% reduction for those on level 13 upward; 30% reduction for others, cancellation of annual leave.
The reduction also affect allowances. This is for the first three months: April, May and June. It will be reviewed later this month
The Guardian
As par the salary, it was half payment as a result of dwindling revenue during the lockdown.
No indication of forced leave or sack. Those who weren’t in the core units such as newsroom and stayed at home during the 5 weeks lockdown also got 50 per cent.
Tribune
April has not been paid yet. On what to do with staff members, we’re yet to get wind of it..
Vanguard
Actually, there has not been any improvement. The company has only paid weekly transport claims a few times, but salaries remain unpaid. The backlog is now six months.
Yes, there are forced leaves. There are no palliatives or hazard allowances that I’m aware of.
All freelancers and several editorial staff have been told to stay home till further notice, while only a handful are reporting for duty as usual.
We hear there are plans to lay off but that really isn’t the worry. Many people are ready to leave if only they will get paid. The NUJ and NUPPRO have been engaging to no avail.
The Nation
Those earning N65,000 below got full payment, while those earning above N65,000 got half payment.
If you earn more than 100k, 50 per cent was paid.
The Punch
April was paid promptly but what we are not sure of is what will happen next based on the memo by the MD. There is apprehension as we all await letters from the Admin,
CoolWazobiaInfo
30 per cent salary slash
This story provides an insight into the economies of media industry in Nigeria.There is the need for a new model.of economics in media management.The present looks unsustainable.
Importantly,the story provides a priori for a scientific research. Thank.you for the good work.
I suppose what media organizations should consider doing now is to go into multiple business. There’s nothing that stops a media organization from owning other kind of businesses. Even mergers may not be unwise at this period.
Things are getting worse even with the front liners in Media industry. Those that have in 2020 may not find it easy at all.
Good story. It shows the concern the author has for the media industry, particularly the practitioners. One important thing to note in the report is that all online media, Cable, Premium Times, are up-to-date in the payment of salaries, with the Cable even increasing data allowance. This speaks to the fact rhat the way to profitability and survival is to find a suitable online model and stay nimble.
Dr. Jide Johnson we await your scientific research into this problem of media economics.