Survey: Low pay and depression are forcing journalists out of the profession

By  Hilary Kimuyu

Correspondent

Nation Media Group

Nearly two-thirds of Kenyan journalists are experiencing moderate to severe symptoms of depression, while one in three plans to quit the profession at the earliest opportunity, a new survey has found.

The survey, conducted by the Kenya Union of Journalists (KUJ) and the Media Council of Kenya (MCK) and whose findings were announced on Friday, raises concerns about the state of journalists’ welfare and the future of the country’s media industry.

Sampling 120 journalists across different ranks and media houses, it identifies low pay, job insecurity, heavy workloads and dissatisfaction with workplace environments as key factors contributing to poor mental health.

The findings paint a troubling picture of an industry in which financial pressures and deteriorating working conditions are undermining journalists’ well-being, with potential consequences for the quality of reporting, press freedom and the public’s right to information.

More than half of the journalists surveyed earn less than Sh50,000 a month, while 55 per cent lack job security as they work as correspondents, freelancers or contributors.

The survey found that journalists earn an average monthly salary of Sh63,000, below the national average monthly wage of Sh86,000 cited in the report.

Pay progression is also limited, with 48 per cent of respondents reporting that they had not received a salary review in more than three years. More than half had gone without a pay review for over two years, while 82 per cent said they did not receive allowances or bonuses.

These financial pressures are compounded by demanding working conditions. Journalists work an average of 8.5 hours daily, and more than 65 per cent have experienced increased workloads over the past five years without corresponding increases in pay or allowances.

The findings also point to widespread dissatisfaction with workplace environments and a growing desire to leave current employers.

About 89 per cent of respondents said they were actively looking for jobs outside their current workplaces, while one in three was seeking employment beyond journalism and intended to leave the profession at the earliest opportunity.

The researchers warn that the potential loss of experienced journalists poses a significant turnover risk to the industry, threatening its capacity to perform its watchdog role and provide citizens with reliable information.

The survey found that 65 per cent of journalists exhibited moderate to severe depressive symptoms, including thoughts of self-harm and suicidal ideation.

Despite the prevalence of these symptoms, only 25 per cent of respondents had sought professional mental health support in the preceding two years.

The findings raise questions about access to mental health services and the extent to which media organisations are addressing the psychological pressures associated with journalism.

The combination of poor remuneration, insecure employment, long working hours and limited professional fulfilment appears to be taking a toll on journalists, many of whom continue working under conditions that expose them to mental distress.

Speaking at the launch of the findings, KUJ Secretary-General Eric Oduor said the survey reflected the difficult labour conditions facing the media industry and called for urgent measures to improve journalists’ welfare.

“We cannot turn a blind eye to the welfare of journalists because their morale has an impact on their output. We cannot expect a journalist who is not properly remunerated to play the watchdog role, speak truth to power and serve the common good of the society. We must take this discussion seriously, and I hope that this survey will provide the foundation for our discussions on lasting solutions,” said Mr Oduor.

Media Council of Kenya Chief Executive Officer David Omwoyo said the findings offered a basis for stakeholders to engage on measures to improve journalists’ working conditions and financial security.

He called for concerted efforts to address the challenges facing media workers and strengthen their welfare.

Ms Susan Mang’eni, the Principal Secretary in the State Department for MSMEs Development, urged journalists to use their reporting to promote economic growth, arguing that their financial well-being was closely linked to the country’s economic performance.

“The welfare of journalists is always tied to a healthy economy,” said Ms Mangeni. “Therefore, journalists need to join hands with the government to promote a healthy economy. The government is not an enemy.”

Beyond salaries and working conditions, the discussions also focused on the need for journalists to plan for retirement, particularly those working outside permanent employment arrangements.

The Retirement Benefits Authority (RBA), which partnered with KUJ to organise the National Day of Journalists’ Welfare, encouraged media workers to begin saving early, regardless of their income.

RBA Chief Executive Officer Charles Machira said young journalists could benefit from starting their retirement plans early, even when earning modest salaries.

“You do not have to wait until you earn a large salary to begin saving. The greatest advantage a young journalist has is not a big income. It is time. The earlier you begin, the more opportunity your savings have to grow. And retirement security is not only about income in old age. It is also about preparing for the realities that come with it, including healthcare,” said Mr Machira.

The authority also pledged to support KUJ and the media industry in establishing a Press Pension Scheme to help non-permanent journalists plan for retirement.

The proposed scheme would address a key vulnerability among journalists whose employment arrangements may leave them without the retirement benefits available to workers in permanent employment.

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