What are the biggest trends impacting the community/industry right now?

Journalist burnout and adapting leadership styles to develop better newsroom cultures. Newsrooms have to be more attuned to journalists’ needs relative to their well-being as well as the public’s need for accurate, meaningful and trustworthy coverage. 

What challenges does the community need to overcome, because of these trends?

RTDNA research shows an erosion of public trust in local television, radio and digital newsrooms, particularly when it comes to coverage of political campaigns. Using that research as a north star, we have developed tangible tactics local newsrooms can use to build and maintain trust with the public.

What’s one thing you wish more media pros knew about?

While many companies that own and operate local newsrooms across the country are adapting to post-pandemic changes in the workplace environment, more needs to be done. Newsrooms must address burnout, innovate processes and workflows to take care of journalists so they’re better equipped to serve the public by providing meaningful coverage that is useful and trustworthy.

What are the top 3 things that attendees should go hunt down on the show floor to expand what they just learned in your sessions?

• Tools to make complicated parts of the newsroom workflow easier
• Tools or equipment that help keep journalists safer in the field
• Vendors that provide counseling services that newsroom leaders can provide to their journalists suffering from PTSD and burnout and to achieve a better work/life balance

What discussions should they be having with the exhibitors?

• What is your company doing to address burnout and workflow issues that are causing too many journalists to consider leaving the profession?
• How does your product or service make the hard work of being a broadcast journalist less difficult?
• What can you do to help me recruit and retain high-quality journalists?