Introduction
Journalism in Rwanda is a rapidly growing and evolving sector, heavily characterized by the shift from traditional print to digital and broadcast platforms, particularly YouTube. The local media landscape spans state-owned networks, private broadcasters, and international correspondents, all operating within a complex environment defined by both technological expansion and press freedom challenges.
A report by the Association of Rwandan Journalists – ARJ has highlighted the plight of professionals, with more than 17% earning less than 100,000 Rwf per month.
Income figures reveal worrying trends, as 27.9% of respondents chose not to disclose their income. Of those who did disclose their income, 17.2% earn less than 100,000 Rwf per month, while 15.1% earn between 100,000 and 199,999 Rwf.
Of this list, 12.6% earn between 200,000 and 299,999 Rwf, while 16.0% earn between 300,000 and 499,999 Rwf.
To date, 11.3% earn 500,000 Rwf or more per month.
This is why 43 percent of journalists surveyed indicated that their salary barely covers their basic needs, while another 13 percent said that their salary does not cover their basic needs at all.
Only 2.7 percent of journalists believe that their salary covers everything they need.
In other words, 92.8 percent of journalists indicated that their salary covers their basic needs at a moderate level, or that they do not cover their basic needs at all.
Meanwhile, among these journalists, those with long-term employment contracts do not reach fifty percent, while only those who work without regular contracts, those who can work for many people at the same time (freelancers), reach twenty percent.
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Most (68.9%) of those working in this profession rent their accommodation, while 24.3% own their own homes, 6.2% live with family or friends, and only 0.6% are provided with accommodation by their employers.