Journalists' wages are developing alarmingly
A study by journalists' associations reveals a worrying trend in journalists' wages. The majority of wages have stagnated at the 2004 level, while the media economy has developed positively.
Journalists in Switzerland earn an average of CHF 7200 gross per month. Wages are highest in the cantons of Zurich (CHF 7640) and Basel (CHF 7430) and lowest in the canton of Ticino (CHF 6190). Together with the Swiss Federation of Trade Unions, the journalists' associations comedia, impressum, the Swiss Federation of Professional Journalists (SFJ) and the Swiss Syndicate of Media Professionals (SSM) conducted an online survey. The results of the study were published on Wednesday.
The survey shows that journalists' salaries have not kept pace with the positive media economy in the last two years. The survey revealed that wages have stagnated for 35 percent of journalists since 2004, and "as many as eight percent have seen their wages fall", according to the study. The situation for freelance journalists has developed particularly badly. This "worrying development" is closely linked to the termination of the collective press employment contract in 2004.
The study also shows that professional experience is still more important in journalism than formal training. According to the study, media professionals with ten years of professional experience earn a third more than journalists with just two years. On the other hand, the wage difference of eight percent between journalists with a university degree and those without can be considered small.
The survey shows that journalists' salaries have not kept pace with the positive media economy in the last two years. The survey revealed that wages have stagnated for 35 percent of journalists since 2004, and "as many as eight percent have seen their wages fall", according to the study. The situation for freelance journalists has developed particularly badly. This "worrying development" is closely linked to the termination of the collective press employment contract in 2004.
The study also shows that professional experience is still more important in journalism than formal training. According to the study, media professionals with ten years of professional experience earn a third more than journalists with just two years. On the other hand, the wage difference of eight percent between journalists with a university degree and those without can be considered small.
