IFJ backs new global survey on journalists' pay

The International Federation of Journalists is partnering with WageIndicator, a global pay survey that has measured wages of over 1,500 different occupations in over 48 countries around the world, to campaign for decent pay for journalists.
"Too many journalists face wage discrimination in the workplace," said Aidan White, IFJ general secretary. "Wages of women and young journalists are particularly at stake. Unions need to take action so that journalists' salaries are, for the first time, assessed on a global scale."
In a letter addressed to its affiliates, which includes the NUJ in the UK, the IFJ called on all its members to participate in the global wage survey to help national campaigns to raise awareness among journalists of their rights to decent pay for their work and decent working conditions.
"By taking part in this initiative, journalists will be able to enhance decent pay for their work by carrying out a salary check. They can compare their current salaries with those of their peers, or those in other occupations in the global labour market," explained White.
The global wage survey will measure, in particular, journalists' average salary based on experience, salaries of young journalists entering the profession and the gender pay gap in the profession. The analysed data will be published in different languages and made accessible online.
The IFJ says the findings will serve as a wage indicator for journalists around the world.