Bissau – Guinea-Bissau state radio and television did not broadcast on Thursday, as public media employees started a three-day strike to demand better pay and working conditions.
The syndicates of the public radio and television broadcasters, the No Pintcha newspaper and Guinean news agency called for the action after failed talks with the information ministry.
They say pay is too low, with some journalists receiving the equivalent of just $110 (100 euros) a month, while others have worked for years without signing a contract.
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“Add to that a crying lack of equipment, including computers,” said Cossa Cisse, a syndicate representative from the national radio broadcaster, adding those on strike were open to dialogue.
The head of public television, Amadu Djamanca, said efforts were underway to digitise the broadcasting service.
“Guinea-Bissau is the only country in the region where television is still working on an analogue system,” he said.
Media watchdog Reporters Without Borders (RSF) ranked the West African country 95th out of 180 countries in its 2021 World Press Freedom Index.
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Source: AFP
Picture: Getty Images
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