The Retention Issue: How media companies are struggling to attract and retain a diverse workforce PLUS Tips from The Guardian on live blogging breaking news

March 04, 2022

In the United States where I currently live, employers are struggling to attract and retain staff in what has been dubbed the Great Resignation. It’s a complex issue with a lot of forces driving employees out of media and pulling them into other areas of the media economy like the burgeoning Creator Economy or into other fields for reasons such as stability, pay and anger over diversity issues. The New York Times sees competition for "influencer journalists". In some ways, this brings the economics for broadcast talent, when on-air talent can command seven-figure sums, to digital and print. Media (which journalism is just a subset of) has always been a star system - think sports. A handful of stars can command stratospheric salaries while entry-level staff in the minor leagues (think local journalism) earn less than other college-educated professionals and now often have to work two jobs to make ends meet even in low-cost areas.

Journalism.co.uk has an event looking at how to recruit more women into tech roles in newsrooms. Tech talent challenges have been a frequent theme, and maybe this is just personal sensitivity, but they have been overshadowed by perceived challenges of retaining content talent.

One thing I would say from my master's research about product managers at news organisations is that the product managers who left did not talk about pay as the reason that they left, although there were complaints about disparities between men and women in the field. The major issues for leaving had more to do with autonomy that they felt they lacked in the role and burnout.

Also, the last story in the lineup is about how to make small changes that will support diversity, especially from diverse economic backgrounds. This is increasingly important when even if internships are paid, most of the on-ramps to media are concentrated in expensive cities.

Trump's social media platform is failing to launch. Once again, he shows very little operational focus. He could be supporting this gambit, but oddly, he isn't. It makes me wonder if someone else pushed the idea, and he quickly cooled to it. Or if it just didn't become as wildly successful as planned so ever the winner, he didn't want to be associated with failure.

PLUS Vox lays off 3% of its staff after merger with Group Nine. RT moves to right-wing video platform Rumble. Tips from The Guardian on live-blogging breaking news like the invasion of Ukraine. How one outlet in the US is using text messaging rather than email to connect with 'disinvested' communities.

Times managers say they are focusing on retention as the competition for top "influencer journalists" heats up in the media industry.

What can the industry do to bring more women into tech roles? And what can women journalists do to start or advance in these careers? Join us for an International Women's Day event next Wednesday 9 March to find out

Trump's Social Platform Fizzles After Initial Interest - 03/02/2022

Sources tell Axios some of the positions affected were duplicative roles.

Russian state-controlled news network RT said on Thursday it will begin broadcasting on Rumble, a YouTube-like video site, after tech companies including Meta Platforms and Twitter have restricted access to RT following Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Head of Editorial Innovation Chris Moran explains how he and his team have shaped the newspaper’s live blog to meet users’ needs.

Regulators will consider the techniques the company implements to attract young users and keep them watching

Editor’s note: This article is from virtual reporting from the livestreamed panel on March 3, 2022. Many tech companies, including Silicon Valley giants, are beginning to grapple with the ethics […]

"Before we even had a website, we launched our texting service in both neighborhoods, and in both English and Spanish for West Dallas."

Small solutions can still bring about positive change.