MEMBERS of the media were urged recently not to engage in any form of corruption, said the president of the National Union of Journalist of the Philippines (NUJP) Leyte chapter.
In a recent survey of Global Corruption Barometer conducted last September 2012 to March 2013, media was perceived to be the least affected by corruption.
The PNP had the highest percentage (69 percent) followed by public officials (64 percent), party political (56 percent), military (43 percent), education sector (30 percent), medical health services (31 percent), business sector (30 percent), non-government organizations (25 percent), Catholic church (15 percent) and media (14 percent).
Rollie Montilla, president of NUJP-Leyte chapter, said corruption in media makes media people uncomfortable; however, she added that there is always corruption in any organization.
Studies of the National Statistical Coordination Board (NSCB) revealed that more or less P600 is needed daily for a family of six in order to meet basic needs.
In Eastern Visayas alone, broadcast journalists receive around P8,000 per month, while print journalists or correspondents of newspapers receive compensations based on published stories.
Montilla said the salary that the journalists receive is not enough to provide for the needs of their families, adding that it is only the passion for media work that keeps them in their jobs.
Some journalists, due to their low income, are forced look for part time jobs or engage in selling advertisements where they can receive 20 to 30 percent higher commission than their monthly salary. (Leyte Samar Daily Express)