So You Want to Manage a Newsroom
Managing a newsroom comes with its fair share of difficulties and not every good journalist makes for a good manager, but becoming a manager is well within the realm of possibility with the proper training. A journalist aiming to pivot to a career in management must be able to handle a large volume of content published by numerous writers while evaluating their performance, keeping up with goals, and deal with the myriads of daily issues that will rear their head.
Being a good reporter requires a healthy amount of curiosity mixed with adept social skills and both are valuable traits to carry over to a managerial role. If a newsroom is not run properly, it could lead to burnout with long hours and low pay. The ideal newsroom managers are responsible for cultivating a healthier newsroom culture that supports employee well-being.
Laying the Foundation for a Positive Newsroom
First time newsroom managers should be investing in a healthy work culture right out of the gate. Newsroom culture will emerge whether it is built consciously or unconsciously, so it is imperative to steer it in the right direction. A big mistake some managers make is not paying enough attention to the work culture of the newsroom, putting all the focus into the editorial aspects. Laying the foundation for a healthy newsroom will help everything else fall into place, as it will be run with maximum efficiency.
Even if a manager does get caught up in other parts of the news organization before taking care of the work culture, it is better to establish a solid work culture later than never. Structure and guidance should be provided, showing people how they can best work together. Managers need to create an atmosphere where employees feel comfortable asking questions about how to do things or where they can go to find a response to their questions.
Communication is Key
When establishing the newsroom’s core values, managers need to ensure they make those values clear to their employees and that they know the mission that guides the news organization. If managers communicate these values to the communities the newsroom serves as well, this will be further apparent within daily work culture. Overall, transparency is key. It establishes trust to have made it clear to others that employees work well together and have built a solid and prosperous culture.
It can be easy for a newsroom leader to take on too many responsibilities. A good leader normalizes the practice of communicating when they need to hand off tasks and decisions to lighten their own load. A leader that is stretched too thin likely cannot keep up an efficient work environment. For instance, the editor-in-chief does not have to be the only one that signs off on story ideas, time off requests, or project pitches. None of this has to be banking on a single leader’s approval.
The Importance of Maintaining Connections
Establishing genuine connections between the newsroom leader and employees will significantly drive-up efficiency and morale. It is a valuable use of the leader's time to know one or two personal things about the employees, especially if the newsroom has grown into a large group of people. It will benefit everyone involved with the leader to show that they genuinely care about the employees as people. Humanity should be shown regularly, so the leader’s empathy and encouragement are seen as real and not theatrical.
Establishing genuine connections between the newsroom leader and employees will significantly drive-up efficiency and morale. It is a valuable use of the leader's time to know one or two personal things about the employees, especially if the newsroom has grown into a large group of people. It will benefit everyone involved with the leader to show that they genuinely care about the employees as people. Humanity should be shown regularly, so the leader’s empathy and encouragement are seen as real and not theatrical.
If employees feel valued as individuals, not just as workers, the path will ultimately lead to a healthier and more productive newsroom. This can be taken even further by making connections with peers outside of the station, establishing a strong network connecting the internal and external parts of the news organization. With all the right foundations laid, newsroom leaders can foster a cohesive, supportive environment, helping their organization thrive while effectively preventing burnout and maintaining high morale within the newsroom's culture.
