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Newsroom staffing has become so thin, and recruiting has become so difficult that most stations are too busy just trying to make it through the day to really see what’s happening to the industry overall. In talking with contacts at both the station and corporate levels, the disconnect is clear.
So, I’m going to spell out some changes brewing and some ways local journalists can prepare in a succinct, easy-to-share outline. This will not cover all possibilities, but it will at least help with awareness.
Changes coming:Consolidation Fewer pilot programs Fewer long-term contracts
Prepping For Consolidation
Now, let’s dig in. First up: consolidation. Industry experts and corporate bosses are preparing for deregulation. This could mean single companies owning multiple stations in the same market, which will cause staffing cuts. There is debate about how fast this will happen, but current political conditions strongly suggest soon.
Some station groups are also talking about partnerships. One might own a station and pay a competitor in that market to provide its newscasts. The FCC could relax rules that would make this highly possible. There are already contracts across the country where one company owns a station but hires another company to provide news staff and content, so there is precedent.
Also, expect to see news directors managing more than one market. Another option that could become more common is newsrooms covering multiple places — their own market and another market.
So, what should you do as a journalist in a local newsroom to prepare for consolidation? Two things.
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