News Releases

Project for Excellence in Journalism Survey Indicates Growing Pessimism Among News Directors

CONTACT: Ryan Murphy -  202.495.8730

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 12, 2010

LAS VEGAS – In a survey conducted by the Project for Excellence in Journalism with the cooperation of RTDNA and the American Society of New Editors, broadcast newsroom leaders said they felt their industry is headed in the wrong direction, and news executives across all media have adopted a wait-and-see attitude to alternative funding ideas meant to help heal the ailing journalism business model.

Many executives said they have been happy with the cultural shifts their staffs are embracing and are encouraged by the technological changes that have streamlined many of those changes. Further, they said smaller crews have meant more stories from the street for their news products. 

However, more than half of the respondents—from print and broadcast newsrooms—think their news operations will not survive another 10 years.  Most blame the current slide on missed opportunities that would have secured a stronger financial foundation for media going forward.  Despite the gloomy outlook, most respondents were also skeptical of external funding efforts to keep newsrooms afloat.  More than three-fourths of those surveyed object to government or interest group subsidies.

“The survey is a roadmap of sorts for organizations like RTDNA,” said Stacey Woelfel, RTDNA Chairman.  “We can take the findings and use them to guide our focus as we work to improve journalism through best practices and newsroom management training.”

Click here for the survey.

About RTDNA

RTDNA is the world’s largest professional organization devoted exclusively to electronic journalism. RTDNA represents local and network journalists in broadcasting, cable and other electronic media in more than 30 countries. Along with the Radio Television Digital Foundation, RTDNA sponsors scholarships, fellowships, training seminars, mentoring programs and more as part of its diversity efforts.