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Contact usEvery journalist deserves the opportunity to work in a professional, respectful, and inclusive newsroom.
Unfortunately, bias, discrimination, harassment, retaliation, and unequal treatment can occur in any workplace—including Television Stations, Radio Stations, Newspapers, Podcasts, and Digital Newsrooms.
At RateMyStation, we believe that creating transparency about workplace culture helps journalists make informed career decisions, while encouraging media organizations to build healthier work environments.
What Is Workplace Discrimination?
Workplace discrimination occurs when an employee or job applicant is treated unfairly because of a protected characteristic.
Examples may include discrimination based on:
• Race or ethnicity
• Gender or gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Religion
• Age
• Disability
• Pregnancy
• National origin
• Other legally protected characteristics
Every situation is different, and not every negative workplace experience is unlawful discrimination. However, employees should never feel afraid to report behavior that they believe is unfair or inappropriate.
What Is Workplace Bias?
Bias isn’t always intentional.
Sometimes employees experience favoritism, inconsistent management, unequal opportunities, or unfair treatment that may not violate the law but still contributes to a negative newsroom culture.
Examples may include:
• Unequal opportunities for promotions
• Favoritism in assignments
• Inconsistent discipline
• Unequal workload distribution
• Lack of mentorship or career development
• Exclusion from important meetings or projects
Sharing these experiences can help others better understand a newsroom’s workplace culture.
Can I Share My Experience?
Absolutely!
Current and former employees are welcome to share their workplace experiences by submitting an honest review that follows our Community Guidelines.
We encourage reviewers to:
1. Share factual experiences
2. Avoid personal attacks
3. Be respectful and professional
4. Describe what they personally experienced
5. Avoid making claims they cannot support
Reviews should reflect firsthand experiences, and comply with all applicable laws and our platform policies.
Our Commitment to Fairness
RateMyStation is committed to providing a platform where journalists can share workplace experiences responsibly.
We do not assume that every newsroom is biased or discriminatory, and we recognize that every workplace has unique strengths and challenges.
Our goal is to promote transparency, encourage constructive feedback, and help journalists make informed career decisions based on a variety of employee experiences.
That being said, if you have been a victim of, or have witnessed, bias based on race, gender, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, or religion—before sharing your experience on our platform—we strongly encourage you to file a complaint with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) or the Office of Federal Contract Compliance Programs (OFCCP).
Also, please feel free to reference this FAQ for a growing list of helpful organizations available for you to join today:
AAJA – Asian American Journalists Association
The AAJA features members from the United States and Asia, which was founded in 1981 by three Los Angeles Times reporters who wanted to encourage journalists of color, especially with hopes of moving into industry management positions.
CPJ – Committee to Protect Journalists
The CPJ has been around for more than 30 years and works tirelessly over the years for journalists that are under attack or who become imprisoned. The CPJ is made up of a group of global experts who follow, monitor, document, and take action on violations of press freedoms.
The Fourth Estate is focused on helping support and nurture an active free press by promoting news reporting as a needed resource for a well-balanced society. In addition, the group works to advocate for responsible reporting and the public’s right to access trustworthy news.
IFJ – International Federation of Journalists
The IFH has been around for nearly a century and is a global voice for almost 600,000 journalists and media professionals. The group supports fair pay, gender equality, and strong unions for journalists.
IWMF – International Women’s Media Foundation
The IWMF supports female and minority journalists, who are an essential part of the free press industry. They offer training, fellowships, resources, and funds for a variety of reporting opportunities.
LION – Local Independent Online News
LION represents and advocates for journalists in small towns and communities and supports independent publishers to help bring news that assists the population through digital avenues.
NABJ – National Association of Black Journalists
NABJ began in 1975, and they give professional development and training for Black journalists, journalism students, and media professionals throughout the country.
NAHJ – National Association of Hispanic Journalists
The NAHJ, which is headquartered in Washington, DC, has more than 2,000 Hispanic journalist members in the United States and the Caribbean.
The National Press Club has more than 3500 members, with thousands of events annually, and is headquartered in Washington, DC, where over 250,000 working journalists use its resources daily.
The future of the news industry is digital journalism because it is the leading format for consuming news. ONA offers “programs focused on training and networking, leadership development, diversity in newsrooms, and honoring excellence.”
Regional Reporters Association
The Regional Reporters Association was founded in 1988 and serves broadcast and newspaper reporters and wire services representing local news stories based in Washington, DC.
SPJ – Society of Professional Journalists
The SPJ gives comprehensive programs and competitions that assist journalists at every stage of their career in the industry to succeed. SPJ supports the importance of ethics in news reporting. They’ve begun collaborating with Google to inspire a positive influence with journalism in the newsroom and classroom.
WAN-IFRA – World Association of Newspapers and News Publishers
WAN-IFRA is a global network that has been around since 1948, and its mission is to protect free press and journalism.