E31 Burnout in the Newsroom: What the Research Tells Us (And What We Can Do About It)

04/06/2025 12 min
E31 Burnout in the Newsroom: What the Research Tells Us (And What We Can Do About It)

Listen "E31 Burnout in the Newsroom: What the Research Tells Us (And What We Can Do About It)"

Episode Synopsis



In this episode of The Compassionate Newsroom, Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon explores the rising crisis of burnout among journalists and newsroom leaders. Drawing from the latest research conducted by the Reynolds Journalism Institute, Dr. Kortni shares insights about the widespread impact of burnout across the profession, the culture of silence that surrounds it, and the systemic challenges that perpetuate it. She also offers practical, evidence-based strategies for creating more compassionate, sustainable newsroom environments.
What You'll Learn:


How burnout is affecting both journalists and newsroom leaders


Key findings from RJI's research on burnout in journalism


Cultural factors that contribute to burnout in the industry


Tangible steps for fostering psychological safety and well-being in newsrooms


Resources Mentioned:


Reynolds Journalism Institute’s burnout research


The KALM Institute for Workplace Wellbeing: www.kalminstitute.org


Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for news professionals waitlist 


 


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Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Compassionate Journalism02:51 Understanding Burnout in Journalism06:18 The Impact of Burnout on the Industry07:39 Strategies for Addressing Burnout10:56 Creating a Culture of Wellbeing

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