Journalism at risk: SNJ proposes internship center to curb exploitation and improve the quality of information

In a context where the quality of information and the working conditions of media professionals are under increasing pressure, the National Union of Journalists (SNJ) is putting forward a proposal considered strategic: the creation of an internship center for final-year students, with a view to strengthening practical training and putting an end to exploitation in the sector.

The initiative was presented in Maputo by the Secretary-General of the SNJ (National Union of Journalists), Jeremias Mondlane, during the celebrations of Mozambican Journalist Day. According to the official, the current reality in several newsrooms is worrying, with interns assuming journalistic production responsibilities without adequate guidance, which seriously compromises the quality of the news.

Mondlane denounces that many media outlets resort to student labor as a cheap solution, assigning them demanding tasks without proper professional supervision. The result, he warns, is often poorly produced content and a continuous cycle of precariousness. "There is an urgent need to structure internships, guaranteeing supervision and quality," he argued.

To make the project viable, the SNJ is mobilizing international partnerships, including contacts with embassies such as those of the United States, Ukraine, and Italy, in the hope of securing funding. The proposal has also been presented to the president of the Maputo Municipal Council, Rasaque Manhique, who recommended that a technical study be carried out within 30 days.

However, the union faces structural limitations, such as the lack of its own facilities, which weakens its operation and capacity for intervention.

The celebrations of Journalist's Day were also marked by debates in the media, focusing on press freedom and the urgency of regulating the current law. In this context, the SNJ (National Union of Journalists) advocates for the creation of a memorandum of understanding with the municipality, with the aim of facilitating coverage of municipal activities.

Another critical point raised by the union concerns working conditions in the sector. The absence of formal contracts, payment per piece/story, and the lack of basic rights continue to mark the reality for many journalists. Mondlane strongly criticizes this practice, emphasizing that some media outlets cite financial difficulties to justify precarious remuneration models.

The regulation of the new press law should involve key institutions such as the Higher Council for Social Communication, the Mozambican chapter of the Media Institute of Southern Africa, and the SNJ itself, in an attempt to reorganize the sector.

For the union, it is imperative that financially capable bodies assume the responsibility of guaranteeing decent wages and formal employment contracts. The persistence of practices such as not registering journalists in legal systems is seen as a deliberate strategy to avoid labor costs.

In a firm tone, the SNJ reinforces its appeal: it is necessary to put an end to the exploitation of recent graduates and build a more ethical, professional and sustainable journalism in Mozambique.

Source: Mozambique Carta