Feast and famine? Local television news workers expand the offerings but say they are hungry for quality journalism

Abstract

By the nature of the work, television news workers face a time famine: too much to do in too little time. The famine has been compounded in recent years as local newsrooms produce content for two-screen and three-screen audiences. Chaos theory says that even during chaotic times there are constants, such as deadlines and breaking news obligations. This study of 877 broadcast journalists examines their perceptions of work quality in light of organizational support, job satisfaction, work overload and autonomy. Results indicate that organizational support, job satisfaction and autonomy are significant, positive predictors of work quality. Additionally, 81% of news workers said they work differently from a few years ago, with social media/online obligations and doing-more-with-less consuming much of their time. In the meantime, diminished quality is a rising concern.

Notes on contributors

Scott Reinardy is an Associate Professor in the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas.

Chris Bacon is a doctoral candidate in the William Allen White School of Journalism and Mass Communications at the University of Kansas.