Journalists at The City Review and the Al-Hagiga newspapers in Juba are on a go-slow over pay grievances.
The journalists are complaining about what they describe as inadequate and inequitable salary structures, exacerbated by recent management actions.
Their action from July 24, has seen the recent editions of the two newspapers dominated by wire content. This shift has raised concerns among readers, who are accustomed to local content The City Review and Al-Hagiga have been known for.
In a statement released today, the journalists pointed out that while the expatriate staff in the editorial department earned minimum US$2,500 per month, along with perks such as accommodation and transportation, the highest-paid national journalist earned less than US$100 per month. The disparity, they argue, has been exacerbated by the depreciation of the South Sudan Pound (SSP), which has significantly diminished the value of their wages.
The journalists have formally requested a review of their salaries to reflect the current economic realities. However, they allege that instead of addressing their concerns, the management of RAK MEDIA, which owns both newspapers, responded with threats and intimidation.
“We notified the management about the urgent need to adjust our salaries,” the statement reads, adding: “In response, we were met with a bucket of intimidation, leading us to halt story submissions until our grievances are addressed.”
The journalists emphasized that their goal was not to undermine the role of the expatriate staff, but to ensure that the contributions of national counterparts were fairly recognized and rewarded. They are calling on RAK MEDIA to implement a policy that better values the efforts and needs of its local employees.
The RAK Media Chief Operating Officer, R. M. Rajadurai, confirmed receipt of the journalists’ grievances. He told Radio Tamazuj that he was currently at The City Review office to engage with the reporters to find a solution.
“I have seen their letter and will consult with them. I will manage it,” Rajadurai said.
The journalists have vowed to maintain their position until their concerns are addressed.