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An Overall Toxic Work Environment

Overall, WBTV is a toxic work environment. It’s a shell of what it once was. At one point, WBTV had very experienced reporters and was #2 (sometimes #1) in most newscasts. WBTV has experienced a lot of turnover from reporters and producers to upper management. The pay is lower than what you would expect for a top 25 market. Coworkers are for the most part collaborative and supportive. Management picks favorites and there’s no room to grow internally.

It’s disappointing to see what was once a market leader and pillar for solid journalism change. It’s easy to experience mental health issues and burnout here, which has contributed to the high turnover rate.

Look elsewhere if you want to be in Charlotte.

Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment

Megan serves as the Executive Producer and “Assistant News Director.” She has been at the station for more than ten years and has worked in nearly every production role. In my view, she is one of the primary sources of dysfunction in the newsroom. There have been numerous complaints filed with HR regarding bullying, racially insensitive behavior, and creating unnecessary conflict. When confronted, she often becomes emotional in a way that shifts the focus away from the original issue. I strongly recommend documenting all interactions and incidents thoroughly. The Human Resources department consists of a single individual who does not have formal training or a degree in HR and previously served as a secretary. As a result, there is little accountability, and complaints rarely lead to meaningful consequences. Erica is the Director of Content and News. She previously oversaw digital operations and was promoted after the general manager departed. Although personable, she is frequently absent from the station. When present, she often arrives late, leaves early, and takes frequent smoke breaks throughout the day. She also uses one of the station’s vehicles as her primary mode of transportation. Additionally, she engages in gossip about employees and at times demonstrates a lack of emotional control. While she may speak critically of Megan, they maintain a close professional relationship. There are no regular pitch meetings, no formal daily coverage planning discussions, and no consistent script reviews. Feedback and criticism appear to be applied inconsistently. Employees of color often receive disproportionately higher levels of scrutiny compared to their counterparts. The newsroom lacks strong, consistent leadership, which is reflected in the overall quality of the product. As a result, the station ranks last among the three stations in the market. Overall, this is a challenging and, in my opinion, toxic work environment. The absence of effective leadership and organization can hinder professional growth and negatively impact one’s perspective on the industry. If you have other opportunities available, you may want to consider them carefully. If you choose to accept a position here, I recommend seeking mentorship outside of the station, staying focused on your professional goals, maintaining thorough documentation of your work, building your reel, and planning your next step strategically.

It is worth noting that current director Erica doesn’t require you sign a contract. Which is a huge advantage if you are just looking for experience.