2018-05-03
News Director: Greg DeBrosse
Experience described as: “Positive”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Greg DeBrosse and other managers are working hard to help those starting out mold their future careers. Some people are ill-equip to handle change, or choose not to change for the better. Managers are instituting new rules and techniques to make reporters and other newsroom staff better at their jobs and to get a career in a mid or top market following employment.”
News Director: Matt Templeman, who is also the main anchor of the station
“I had a great experience with Matt, but a number of my colleagues did not.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“My experience is apparently a rare one, but I have very positive memories at KEZI. The best way I could describe KEZI is that it is a big market station operating in a small town market. Their anchor set is beautiful and huge. They invest in a consulting firm that really polished and prepped me for getting my next job in a Top 30 market. I definitely wouldn’t have thrived and excelled in my next gig if it wasn’t for all the valuable skills I learned while I was here. One thing to note is that I work well on my own, meaning I don’t need much feedback or to be micromanaged. Management trusted me to get things done, and I did. So the work flow I had here worked well.”
News Director: Jeff Schlesser
Experience described as: “Toxic, unorganized, work oriented”
While working for WWSB this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This station will run you dry and squeeze everything out of you they can, and still tell you it’s not enough. They’ll gas light you, blame you, and act like you’re bottom of the barrel if you’re not part of the management team. AND is the worst of the bunch, and very aggressive. ND doesn’t care to help or address any problems, only to add more to your plate and blame you when you push back. Will talk about you behind your back to coworkers. No one is happy at this station. More than a dozen have left in 6 months. There are no photogs, the pay is horrible for the area, and everyone is miserable there. RUN!!”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Staci-Lyn
Experience described as: “Terrible, toxic, inconsiderate”
While working for KRDO this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This station has had so many changes in leadership and it’s gone from bad to worse. They have an EP who didn’t even know how to use the programs (still doesn’t know, but has been trained). EP hasn’t worked in news in a while and has more experience in entertainment. She is terrible at writing and has ZERO creativity. She is rude, condescending and unprofessional. The ND doesn’t seem to have a voice. This is her first station working as an ND and boy does it show. If people complain to her about the EP, nothing changes. Probably because they were both hired by the GM. Both ND and EP are terrible at writing. They’d rather heard the reporter talk than have an actual storyteller. She favors people she hires, despite how hard others work. She overlooks what people do well and picks at what she doesn’t like. She has told several people they aren’t good enough and those people have since left and gone in to do better things at bigger stations. As a mom, you’d think she’d be a better person and treat people with dignity, but no. She is the worst thing to happen to that station besides the EP. They are equally as terrible. The GM seems to hire people he knows from other stations, but so far he hasn’t made any good decisions. He can also be creepy. This is a terrible work environment, but the best part about the station is truly the people who work there who are all struggling and only have each other to lean on. Do yourself a favor and avoid working here. Many people have quit the station and someone even complained about harassment.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Terry Wood
“Educational, amazing, fun and enriching”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“KMID/KPEJ has a lot to offer new MMJs, Anchors, and Producers, and working with Terry and Mark would be a wise career decision. Not only do they know many people in the business, but their jobs complement the news station. They have a wealth of knowledge to pull from and are a joy to work with.
All I want to mention before Terry and Mark arrived was that the newsroom was dysfunctional. The previous leaders were not leaders, and a select few in the newsroom stepped up and helped the skeleton crew survive, especially during the pandemic. There are individuals in the newsroom that I will be forever grateful for in helping us get through one of the most challenging news years. I highly respect our digital producer for helping our newsroom stay afloat. He always put the team first and would help anytime, anywhere. I am honored to have worked with him.
—-
Mark Garcia arrived first, and I was highly impressed by his knowledge. I am confused at the comments made regarding both Mark and Terry. When new management comes onboard, change is bound to happen. Sometimes it’s business, and you can’t take it personally. Mark saved our station from drowning. When you ask him for help, he does everything he can to assist the team.
Mark is one of the most intelligent people I know, and if you sit down with him and make an effort to learn, you would be amazed. He is very savvy when it comes to marketing, sales, viewership, the list goes on. Mark Garcia has been nothing but supportive and respects those who work hard.
I know the changes were a bit rocky with schedules initially, but when Terry was hired, his news experience made everything come together. There is a solid management team in place at the station who can be stern but highly supportive in the way they do business.
Terry is incredible! He has been in the news industry his whole life and worked in so many markets that he has combined what he learned in some of the top markets like LA to help Midland/Odessa ‘play like the big boys.’ He continues to impress me with his knowledge and has been in several news situations. It gave the team security in knowing we have someone so skilled that we can rely on and trust, who is fair and honest.
Having worked with some incredible news directors in the past, I can tell that Terry has the chops and determination to continue to grow KMID/KPEJ and make it a great station. The station has already improved significantly. I learned a tremendous amount from Terry in a very short amount of time, and I am a better journalist because of it.
For the first time working at KMID/KPEJ, I felt like I had managers I could rely on. Terry is open to working through any concerns or news questions; he works with you to create the best product. He never yells and has a very straight-forward but nurturing approach to his management style. Terry is also very detailed oriented, which is what you want in a News Director. Since he started, he focused his full attention on the newsroom watching all the shows, and he wants nothing but the best for the team and newscast.
I have been fortunate to work with Mark and Terry, who have been available at any time of the day for help. They both saved our station, and I stand by that statement, having witnessed management in the beginning. This station would be an excellent opportunity. Both Terry and Mark bring the best out of you; if you are willing to work and learn, you can be ready for anything after this experience.”
News Director: Janis Harper
Experience described as: “the worst person I have ever had the displeasure of encountering”
While working for WEAU this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“It honestly depends on the day whether it’s positive and fun or negative and toxic, and that directly correlates to who the news director is and if she is in the building”
News Director: Susan Dinkel
“Poor. She is dismissive of people that don’t directly benefit her in some way. She is a part of the “boy’s club” and makes it hard to be successful.”
While working for WTHI this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Producers were openly racist/sexist and weren’t reprimanded.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Jim Campagna
“Horrible. Word of warning: Jim seems like he’s a nice guy, but he’s a terrible manager. He lets people walk all over him, but also talks to people (normally only the girls) like they are dogs. He makes the newsroom so toxic. Between him and other managers arguing and him running around the newsroom acting like everything is stressful, it makes for a terrible environment.”
While working for WSYR this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I would see big stories only be given to specific, male reporters. The women are talked down to and made to feel like they can’t do their jobs correctly. The newsroom itself is nothing I’ve ever experienced before. I had put my two weeks in and only lasted another week. The last straw was my boss telling me to “keep my mouth shut.” I left that same night, right in the middle of a shift. They will continue to speak to you as if you are a dog if you allow it to happen. And I did for a year.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I don’t think there is one good thing to say about how this station is run. Between the constant yelling and finger pointing, no issues were actually addressed, so no one ever learned from their mistakes. This is NOT a station you want to work at. Not only do they talk down to women, but I have heard that they recently wanted one of their employees to fudge a timesheet so they wouldn’t have any overtime on it. But they still made them work the overtime. Fortunately, that employee still filled in the overtime on their sheet. And that’s just the bare minimum. As soon as I turned in my two weeks, they started acting like I didn’t exist. They treated me like a straight dog. They didn’t care that I was leaving, despite me making their website the best it had been in years. I gave a year of my life, during a pandemic, to a station that couldn’t give a rat’s ass about me. DO NOT WORK HERE IF OFFERED. I promise, other, better opportunities will come.”
News Director: Jeffrey Schlesser
“Absolutely fantastic! I have worked at four news stations now and he is the best news director I’ve ever worked for. He is kind, helpful, and doesn’t yell or get frustrated. When something goes wrong, he brings it up in our meetings and he talks about it calmly and doesn’t point the blame. He asks us how we think we can do better the next day. We talk about the positives and we talk about what goes wrong, but in a positive way. It is such a healthy environment.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This is the best station I think I’ve ever worked at. People here have said that it didn’t used to be this great until the new news director came in. It is all about making ourselves be the best workers we can be. Now note, despite being grouped in with Tampa, we are more of like a 84-85 market size. We are SUPER local, as in we only go to Tampa when necessary and solely report in two counties. It makes for a really unique feel to the newsroom. If you ever want to work in Florida, this is the place to be!”
News Director: Jodie Heisner
“Jodie is excellent”
While working for WEWS this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“While Jodie is doing her best, she inherited a mess left by Sean McGarvy. Our assistant News Director Karen VanVleck bullies and belittles any young woman she is threatened of- especially if you are single and don’t have a family. Even thought she also does not have a family and while she will say she is married is technically not.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Educational, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Some days everything is great, but when our planning editor is not there, and the full duties of the day fall on lower management… WOOF. Or if it’s something that is all the brain child of Karen, watch out. You know people aren’t going to be told what their assignment is, when a story is ready to edit, who is supposed to be editing it and when, but it MUST air the date she assigned it to no matter what.”
News Director: John Kirby
Experience described as: “Toxic. He is demeaning and abusive with his words. Favors people. Makes you work for no pay.”
While working for KREX this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Men could wear things women could not. The news director talked poorly to people in front of everyone. Called people out for very personal things in front of everyone. The picked on people for their age, a huge age discrimination problem. It was a terrible experience, I could go on.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Do not work here. The management is messed up from the news director up.”
News Director: Sean Mahon
“Sean is very disconnected from his staff. Has no idea how to run a newsroom by himself and treats his staff like absolute crap. Sits in his office most of the day, if he even bothers to show up at all. He doesn’t even know the most basic stuff about stacking or producing a show and only knows how to micromanage.”
While working for WWTV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Sean makes sexual comments about certain employees to his “friends”.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: David Ciliberti
Experience described as: “A horrendous news director and downright vicious human being.”
While working for WFLA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The WFLA-TV newsroom is vitriolic and incredibly toxic. Overall, it’s a terrible place.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Those wishing to work at WFLA-TV should consult with former or current staffers before joining. The station’s current news director, David Ciliberti, is a horrible person and lousy manager. He cannot and should never be trusted. Many people have left under his atrocious leadership.”
News Director: Pam Chen
Experience described as: “Wonderful”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“One of the best places you could ever work. Very relaxed environment. Everyone is the best at what they do. Management is great. No complaints.”
News Director: Bob Noonan
Experience described as: “Emotional terrorism”
While working for WPMI this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you want to work for someone with a dad complex who manipulates your emotions for his personal gain, this is the station for you. You will never be good enough in his eyes and he talks about everyone behind their back. You will do great work. You will make a great reel. And he will make you feel like you are worthless, because of his own issues. It’s a GREAT market, and there are wonderful people there. However, the leadership is toxic, and it ruins the newsroom.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you do work there, just keep your head down and never question anything and you’ll be fine.”
News Director: Sarah Truitt
“I personally never really had an issue with her, she gave me the opportunity to move up in the company. Although she does favor certain people and the people that are not favored do not get much help.”
While working for WMDT this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Its a good station to start out at and gain knowledge. I noticed after a few years at this station your moral will definitely be beat down, try to get in and move up and then leave as quickly as possible. If you stay too long you wont even want to stay in the industry. Also be prepared to do multiple jobs and be paid for only one, the station is severely understaffed and it shows. The owners are more interested in building their broadcasting company that they do not pay attention to the understaffed stations with awful outdated equipment.”
News Director: Joe Inderhees (It was Megan)
“Toxic environment. Staff is overworked and underpaid. Definitely a highschool popularity club environment. You were either part of the cool kids or you were not. Nevermind being the best on breaking news, this station is always last place. And the managers would talk about employees out in the open in front of everyone. Unprofessional environment. Anchors would yell at producers. Reporters always missed slot and there were no consequences for it. Just a bad shop to work for but some really nice people who work there.”
While working for WTLV/WJXX this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Racial discrimination is a problem there. There’s no representation in management. The GM used to run the company but I guess retired. He gives you a vibe of a used car sales man. They make just enough money to pay the bills. Dont get me wrong there are some great storytellers behind the scenes and they’ve got some Emmys here or there for stories. But on a daily basis this was not a place you’d ever want to work. It was the lowest point of my career.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Rachel Sommerfeld
“Great working relationship. Very laid back and is open to trying new things.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“You have to be self-motivated to work here. No one is going to push you to do great work. If you’ve worked here for 20+ years and you’re friends with the boss, the rules don’t apply to you. In fact, certain people who are high up in the newsroom hierarchy are all friends and cover and lie for one another.
If you’re one of the favorites, the rules also don’t apply to you. It can be frustrating, because too many think the station is #1 when in reality they are nowhere close. People can get sucked into the do whatever you want culture because too many are not held accountable for their actions like not showing up to work, lying, getting arrested, sleeping on the job and sexually harassing interns and young reporters.
If this station lost about five people, it would be addition by subtraction. The culture would improve and the station would be on its way to being serious about being a contender for the top station in town.
The equipment breaks, and the engineering staff seems indifferent about this. When you try to push some people to try new things, it’s immediately dismissed as “it’s the way we’ve always done things.” The basement looks like a disaster, the newsroom is messy and there’s garbage and food everywhere.
It pays very well considering the market size. It is very laid back so if you’re coming from a micro-managing station, this is the very opposite. The cost of living is very cheap here so your money will go far. You can do great work here, but it’s exhausting getting something on the air that’s presentable. The staff is more concerned about station potlucks and chili cook-offs than the product they put on air.
Until they get rid of about five people, nothing will change. If none of this bothers you, this is the place for you.”
News Director: Chad Hypes
Experience described as: “Poor”
While working for KTVL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Very toxic work environment. News Director gossips daily and portrays himself as your friend as opposed to an actual boss. Does not know how to manage a newsroom and should just have the evening anchor have his job. He’s a joke. Is also very passive aggressive. He asks for her advice before making every decision anyway. She actually has managerial characteristics. Go to her if you actually want something done.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Steer clear, extremely toxic work environment and management is lacking tremendously”
News Director: Dan Clouse
Experience described as: “Awful”
While working for KQDS this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“He is hands off in the worst way. Doesn’t engage with employees. Unbelievably passive aggressive. Terrible at giving instructions and wants you to read his mind. Will call you out and embarrass you in newsroom meetings in front of everyone, but if you approach him in his office for feedback or to resolve he can’t say it to your face and will stumble over himself to walk it back. Blames everyone but himself (corporate… another employee etc etc) for treating people badly. Terrible news judgement. Covering 6 vosots a day and just fronting one of them is the norm. Very limited live experience.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The culture got better but when I first arrived, coworkers were also mean and catty. That was better by the end when the mean people had left. It was an incredibly toxic environment. Things may be different now but the ND is still the same person and he is awful.”
News Director: Nia Towne
Experience described as: “0”
While working for KIII this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Completely disorganized. Leadership lacks any fluid communication skills including and most importantly the ND. She only cares about looking good to higher up, not genuinely trying to make the newsroom better. The A-ND is even worse. Belittling and uninformed. This is a starter marker and you will feel that every single day.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Sean Mahon
Experience described as: “Awful”
While working for WWTV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you are black, do not work here. Blatantly racist employees. The HR director runs around saying the word retarded. Sean Mahon doesn’t have a clue to what he’s doing.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Sean takes several employees to the golf course and tells them “what happens at the golf course stays at the golf course.” He makes sexual comments about the female workers to other employees constantly. He said “do you think anchor x and anchor y go home and sc*ssor each other every night?” To other employees. Management will not do anything about this. It’s embarrassing, humiliating and harassment.”
News Director: Sarah Truitt
“Incredibly demanding and ruthless. Thinks she’s running a top 25 market, rarely offers praise, requires enterprising stories, none can be from other local press unless there’s a new angle, I would describe the newsroom as walking on eggshells when you’re in her presence.”
While working for WMDT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Considering how little money you make, they sure demand a lot out of you and have high expectations. I would advise staying away unless you’re a tough love kind of person (I am a pat my back type). Granted, they do give you lots of opportunities to train across different positions and Salisbury is a beautiful city.
But if you’re looking for positive reinforcement don’t expect it, fresh out of college? Look elsewhere.
For me, the coworkers I had were awesome and they helped me through a lot.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Equipment is weak, the station doesn’t have ton of money (explains the meager salaries)”
News Director: Jake Taylor
This person is described to be: “Extremely positive. Very patient with development and consistently adds constructive criticism”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“If you want a photog this is not the market for you.
If you want lots of breaking news, many opportunities to go live and quick training across multiple positions this is where you want to be especially if you’re fresh out of college.”
News Director: Leeza Glazier Starks
Experience described as: “No leadership”
While working for KGUN this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Lots of backstabbing and gossiping behind peoples back.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Alison Coe
“She is an exceptional listener and takes what her employees have to say seriously. She encourages employee growth and career advancement. She’s level-headed and hard working. Alison is open to feedback and fosters great ideas. She values her employees.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“There have been many changes over the last year at WATE. Previous negative comments may have been valid at one time, but not anymore. It is a supportive, encouraging, and overall enjoyable newsroom. The news director encourages a positive work environment and it shows. This is a great newsroom and most employees seem really happy and grateful to be here! The station is building storytelling skills within the photography, producing, and reporting staff. You will get feedback here and are encouraged to grow and learn. It feels like a very exciting time to be at WATE because the team is really trying to build both digital presence and quality storytelling. If you want to work hard and bring new ideas, you’ll do well here. There is also respect for your well being. Several employees have had health issues and have been supported in accommodations and taking necessary time off for appointments. Alison respects and expects hard work while acknowledging the importance of personal time. The long-time evening anchors are awesome. They are total class acts and very hard working. The set is brand new and upgrades are continuous on the historic building. The station is also in a castle, which is really cool.”
News Director: Jon Levy
“Jon was a great boss. I felt he was fair and encouraging. He was easy to approach and accommodating. He expected you to do your best every shift and would let you know if there was anything that could be improved or done differently. ”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Working at WCJB was a great experience for me. It was an atmosphere where I could grow into my producer skills. While working at WCJB, there were technical difficulties in most newscasts, and sometimes it felt as if mistakes would happen and nothing would be done to try and fix them. But aside from the technical issues, everyone at the station I worked with was willing to help when needed. Everyone’s goal was to create an informative and successful newscast. “
News Director: Stan Sanders
“It was an okay experience, and definitely not the easiest to work for occasionally. We butted heads at times, but that’s fairly normal. However, I feel as if I wasn’t the favorite, and that favoritism runs pretty rampant in that newsroom. I did not get to try anchoring and producing, despite asking numerous times and going out of my way to try things relevant to those positions. I’m not sure what advice to give on being a “favorite” in order to get the experience you’re looking for. Also, one piece of constructive criticism I’d offer him would be improving communication. Sometimes you have to ask direct questions because of confusing instructions. It can be unclear at times on what he wants. You also have to ask for feedback, as he’s not super quick to provide it. When you do get it, it can be helpful.”
While working for WBBJ this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I honestly don’t really like to use the words “overall toxic,” because I am sure there are worse environments, but there was definitely some toxicity to an extent. As I mentioned, the favoritism. For example, the person who came a week AFTER me was trained how to anchor and produce. The person before me wasn’t trained on such skills, either. Also, for a while, I felt as if the other reporter on shift with me often got the stories handed to them/set up for them, as opposed to me having to come in with stuff. That happens at times understandably, but it happened a little too often in my case. While I definitely wasn’t the favorite, I did eventually become respected as a journalist, after fighting my way to it. Speaking of, I’ve definitely felt as if I had to fight for things while here, whether it be better stories or to just be heard in general. Also, sometimes you get blamed for things out of your control. For example, tech issues during a live shot. You generally (or at least, I did), have to MMJ live shots. Sometimes, things happen. It doesn’t matter if the last person bent a cable or if the wind knocks your stuff over, you pretty much got blamed for it.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational
Additional comments:
“I rank it as unorganized, yet educational. It is unorganized due to the crappy communication in the newsroom, and just kind of the structure on who calls the shots. I would also throw in the shared work spaces, equipment, and cars. While that was at least kept track of, the wrong people has been blamed for, say, leaving trash in the news car. It WAS, however, educational. The good thing is when, you MMJ for two years straight, you do get pretty great at it. So, I felt confident walking out with those skills and knowledge. However, smaller markets as such are usually where you learn all of the skills (anchor, produce, report, etc.). I definitely didn’t get that experience. If you do come here, I advise you to focus your experience on the people outside of the building. The community really is great, and the officials and agencies are decent to work with. This community is, for the most part of course, a kind one. Once you really build your connections, you get some loyal sources for sure.”
News Director: Jon Levy
“I very much enjoyed working for Jon Levy. Jon allowed me to work multiple roles in the newsroom, which helped me as I progressed in my career. During my time at WCJB I had family issues and Jon was very generous to let me take time away to take care of the things that I needed to. Jon was new to the manager role when I was there, and I think he did a great job of handling stressful situations that came about in the newsroom, during a time when the station was undergoing major changes. I would recommend working under Jon’s leadership to any person I know wanting to get good experience at a young age in the industry.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“If you are a young person looking to find your way in the news industry, WCJB is a great place to work. I went from an Associate Producer, to a Weekend Director, to heading the digital department within two years. The pay may not be the best, but the experience you gain being able to work multiple roles is priceless. You will have the opportunity to build a great video reel, whether you are a reporter or producer, or a camera operator, as WCJB has access to many great events around Gainesville, especially if you are into sports. It’s a small station but every body contributes and is willing to help you out. 10/10 recommend”
News Director: Sean Mahon
“Poor. It is very clear he hates women. He makes derogatory comments about them. He thinks “what happens at the golf course stays at the golf course.” The coworkers he takes ends up telling everyone what he says behind their back.”
While working for WWTV this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination
“He comments on women’s appearances to other coworkers and he hates confident women who stick up for themselves.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Very toxic full of bully’s”
News Director: Terry Wood
Experience described as: “Tolerable”
While working for KMID/KPEJ this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“A lot of racist people in positions of power. That in turn created the most toxic environment I have ever worked in, including when I worked retail. Anchors do not carry their weight. Producers are ignorant and under educated.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Producers are mediocre at best. Most have no formal education. Anchors are down right incompetent. The General manager micromanages every aspect of the news room and talks down to you while it happens. Mark Garcia, the GM, is one of the worst men I have ever worked for. No understanding of the business. Rewards those who don’t deserve it while punishing anyone who has ever worked hard. Just the absolute worst place to work.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Positive, Fun
News Director: David Lowell/Terry Wood
Experience described as: “toxic”
While working for KMID/KPEJ this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“As I nightside MMJ I was harassed and even grabbed once while live out alone. I brought my concerns to management GM, ND and my GM said there was no excuse and I had to be live everyday.
On another occasion I went live for 5,6 newscast for an event that ended around 8. I went to he station to edit my pkg and my producer said I could go live in studio. around 9 I got a call from my GM that I was a “disappointment” and there was no excuse for not being live. I ended up being demoted from primetime to dayside.
My GM had no news experience and my ND was a pushover. They talk to MMJ’s like we are dumb when in my case I had more schooling/experience than the producers.
Anchors talked down to MMJ’s and producers talked down to MMJ’s when neither of them had good news judgement. A lot of big personalities with no skill to back them up created a toxic work environment. I made it out to a much better, functional newsroom all on my own. The photographer and the Digital manager were the only helpful people.
Management often changed peoples roles like it was nothing. There was no respect in that newsroom.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Management has no regard for the wellbeing of MMJ’s and little news judgement. As a “digital first newsroom” we often put that on the back burner and didn’t put resources where they should be.
They catered to bad anchors who didn’t pull their weight and overworked MMJ’s & Digital who were the smartest ones in the room. They were disrespectful and honestly verbally abusive. Do not work at KMID in West Texas.”
News Director: David Lowell/Terry Wood
Experience described as: “toxic”
While working for KMID/KPEJ this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Over all toxic work environment run by people who have no news judgement. If you work hard you will get taken advantage of and they will work you to the bone. If you are an anchor you won’t lift a finger.
Management cares more about verbally abusing good workers and working them to the bone than distributing the work load evenly. It’s one of the worst newsrooms I’ve ever been in and the community is racist and unwelcoming.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Do not come to this place if you want to learn and grow in a positive environment. I was able to make it out of this station with no help from management other than my digital director, Jared Wilson. As an MMJ I was put in dangerous situations all the time, got harassed, worked overtime to get my tasks done and then got reprimanded for overtime and not going live while getting harassed. When I came to management about my concerns I was demoted to dayside shift after being primetime for over a year. Many people don’t have a degree in the field and don’t have the knowledge to make the right calls.”
News Director: Mitch Jacob
Experience described as: “Unfriendly”
While working for WSMV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Worked for two managements during my two years there, the station is complete garbage. Low morale, high turnover, bad publicity, constant changes in on-air style, staff schedules, and editorial judgment. Constantly short staffed or working against itself in some way. Constantly late to breaking news. Negative attitudes across the newsroom, high brow talent who carry themselves as such. Just overall bad, and not getting better, only getting worse. News director is extremely passive aggressive and singles out people he doesn’t like. Station is hungry for ratings and can’t seem to pull itself out of third place so it constantly reinvents itself and alienates what viewers it has left.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Avoid this and any other Meredith Television station like the plague, you have better options. You won’t be appreciated and you will be sorry to work here if you do.”
News Director: Letitia Walker
Experience described as: “Scattered brain and unorganized”
While working for KATC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“It’s a starter market, so just take it for what it is. Build a great reel and leave when you’re able to.
The pros- it’s located in a great, fun town. While it’s a small market, there’s plenty of breaking news that happens, some stories have even gone national. You’ll get some great experience.
The cons-
Such a negative work environment. My time working there was hell from the day I walked in, to the day I left. There’s a bully like culture from management. So many have been straight up disrespectful to the MMJ’s and nothing was done about it.
Many times management will belittle you and not care about your well-being. You’re overworked and underpaid.
Also, there’s no room for growth. Never received any feedback on my work or mentorship from anyone at the station. If anything, they only told me and complained about what I did wrong, offering no suggestions On how to improve. Some even laugh behind your back and complain about you, if you mess up. I had to seek help from people in different markets. If it wasn’t for that , I probably would’ve left the industry after working there. The anchors basically run the newsroom and do a pretty good job at it.
However, Most of the people there are incompetent at their jobs, but will act as if they know everything. If you decide to work there, don’t let that place break you. Again build a great reel and get the HELL out”
News Director: Liz Zamora
Experience described as: “Horrible, she has no clue what she is doing. She doesn’t help you get better and not understanding.”
While working for WTVA this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you are black I would not advise working here. The racism is not noticeable but it’s there. If you are black it will be extremely hard to get the right help you need. That comes from both News Director and Assistant Director. The AD is VERY passive aggressive, he make comments that will have you looking at him and ready to lose your job.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“You will not get OT. Let’s say you work 2-10 if breaking news happens you could stay until 1am maybe 2. Then when they notice you are about to get OT they will randomly call you and say come in a few hours later which I think is insane. If you want to start your career off in Mississippi I would suggest you go to the other station in Columbus (WCBI) you will get a much better experience.”
News Director: Ed Reams
Experience described as: “Critical, encouraging”
While working for WKOW this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“There were some bad eggs, as with all newsrooms, but overall great directors and good producers. Lots of friends in the newsroom. You can definitely find friends and guidance there if you want to. Ed can seem really tough but if you take a serious concern to him he will handle it well. Quincy wasn’t great so hopefully new group will be better. Honestly if they could pay more of the people better salaries they could sweep the market no problem.”
News Director: C.J. Hoyt
Experience described as: “Horrible”
While working for WTTV this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Absolute nightmare. Not worth moving up in market size. Nexstar came in and made this place run like it’s Market #210. Miserable place to work. Can’t name one manager that I’ve had a positive experience with. No exaggeration… don’t work here.”
News Director: Greg Restinas
“At first he was very welcoming but became toxic and dismissive over time.”
While working for KGW this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“As the one of the few POC in the newsroom I was treated as the token person for my designated culture. I was constantly micromanaged and given additional requirements and expectations that was not expected from my counterparts. I was constantly spoken down to and make feel less than because of my heritage.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“There was a lack of communications, very disorganized, no room for advancement, no training opportunities and just overall toxic.”
News Director: Bridget Foster
Experience described as: “aloof, clueless and beyond non-transparent”
While working for Spectrum this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Bill Denicola, nightside EP, would scream and berate any/all workers at this station as soon as the ND would leave for the day. Be thankful every day you do not have to work with this miserable excuse for a boss. If you did work for him, I’m so sorry.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Avoid entirely. They are constantly losing money, they don’t understand how to correctly respond to breaking news, or what news is worthy of appropriate coverage. The allure of being in a top 25 market will go away after 1 month and you’ll be left with improper management, inappropriate salary differences, and overworked hours, all to basically never be seen by your DMA because your station will never be advertised”
News Director: Bryan McGruder
“Agree with Other Posters – Pleasant, then soured.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Extremely high turnover while I was there – especially for producers and photographers. It made it really challenging to get into a rhythm. Not a lot of support or infrastructure for enterprising stories. I was told some stories are off limits. Lots of branded content that doesn’t always seem to play well in the market. Judgmental management.”
News Director: Greg DeBrosse
“A nightmare. Greg is unprofessional, toxic, disorganized and incapable of making decisions for a newsroom staff.”
While working for KPLC this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“KPLC was once an incredible place to work, you could truly walk into the building and be happy in the workplace. Sure there was a struggle or two but nothing that doesn’t come with working in the professional world. However, the entire atmosphere changed when Greg was hired as ND. Greg was so busy trying to “fix” a station that wasn’t broken that he failed to see the talented, hardworking staff he was supposed to be leading. He failed to see the potential in his employees and chastised them for everything they weren’t. He walked in the newsroom looking like a fish out of water, not knowing the first thing about leading a team. This proved true in Aug when a Cat 4 hurricane began barreling down the coast. In the days before Hurricane Laura, managers including Greg, Jillian Corder, Rhonda Kitchens, Agnes DuRouen, and General Manager John Ware failed to inform their staff on safety protocols and backup plans. The day of landfall, when SWLA was already seeing impacts from the storm, I personally heard a VISITING executive producer say to Greg, “You have less than an hour to get all these people out of here, it is not safe here.” ONLY THEN, did Greg and the other managers decide to implements a last ditch effort to evacuate, and failed to even inform all of their staff about the life/death decision. In the coming days as employees were burned out, displaced, and scared, managers continued their pattern of lack of communication and unprofessionalism. After a month of commuting and working at our sister station we returned to LC and proceeded to walk on eggshells around each other. Why? Because there was no formal conversation between management and staff after the hurricane. Soon, another storm would enter the gulf, and yes, the same problems from Laura reared their ugly head during Hurricane Delta.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I second one of the previous posts that stated KPLC has lost more than 10 employees between Sept and Dec 2020, not because SWLA isn’t an AMAZING place to work, or because the staff isn’t one of the best group of people you can find… its because of Greg DeDrosse, John Ware and the management team. I never thought I would say this, but save yourself the hardships and time in therapy and don’t work for this station until a new GM, ND, and AND is hired.
P.S. If you interview at this station, Greg will have you to believe that he “fired” certain people, however, that is UNTRUE. People left on their own accord. Greg has never fired anyone at KPLC, HOWEVER, he has threatened to fire news staff on SEVERAL occasions. I still have the emails.”
News Director: Suh Neubauer
“She struggles to communicate and tends to disappear. But generally a positive presence who wants the best for her people. Good experience overall.”
While working for WICZ this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“A lot of people sitting around, equipment and resources aren’t great. The experience is great. Good place to get a good demo and a good grip on every aspect of the newsroom.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“It’s a little run down and a run down part of the country. But it is a good experience overall. You probably won’t be there for more than a year or two.”
News Director: Rebecca Gaylord
Experience described as: “Not much good or bad to report”
While working for KXLF this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“KXLF and KBZK was once a top starter market stop. Talent was going there and then shooting up to top 50 markets. Then it all changed and became all about two has-beens, John Sherer and Donna Kelley. They did nothing, no one went to top markets and the parent company crumbled away. It has a new parent company now and potential to get back to what it used to be.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This one might be good again. It depends on what direction Scripps goes with it.”
News Director: Lauren Weppler
“You can have a good relationship with her as long as she is in a good mood and isn’t swamped with work. For example, at the end of the last year (2020), she was being incredibly unfair to employees who created any inconvenience for her as she was trying to hire for different positions and just busy with the news cycle. She mistreated employees who tested positive for COVID-19 because that simply made her job harder.”
While working for WTOL this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The sports director has been suspended for using a sexual and homophobic slur during a mic test. Two weeks later, WTOL 11 launched a promo featuring him.
Managers will punish those who are good at their jobs, sometimes not giving them promotions, simply because they can’t afford to lose them at their positions. They will also reward people who are bad at their jobs with photographers, more resources, etc. Managers will change people’s schedules based on a bad worker not being able to handle a certain position without thinking twice about the people who are efficient and how that will affect their lives.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I have worked here for a few years, made really good friends but do not know anyone who is happy about their jobs (who isn’t a main anchor or a manager).”
News Director: Lee Polowczuk
Experience described as: “Awful, should never have been given ND title”
While working for WBRZ this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Unfriendly co-workers that are not welcoming at all to new employees. Toxic work environment due to lack of communication. Overall, lack of resources, especially in the weather department.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This is a poorly run, greedy, family owned TV station. The Manship family cares about making their money and THAT’S IT! WBRZ pays SIGNIFICANTLY less than the other two stations in town. Not to mention, the AWFUL communication. There are constant problems that are caused because no one thought to communicate with someone else. The turnover is extremely high, especially in the weather department. Majority of the producers are college students that could care less about producing news. The lack of care through out the station is insane. I would not recommend working here to ANYONE!”
News Director: Kim Ballard
“First year great, after that, she could literally care less about the people working under her. Will throw you under the bus in a heart beat without a second thought.”
While working for WFMY this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management sees you nothing as a worker. They have no problem making you work 13 or 14 days in a row with no overtime, but the second you need a day off for a medical or family reason they are unwilling to work with you, unless you are one of the top anchors they like. They exploit their employees without a second thought. Only talk to you when you mess up, but if you do something well, management will claim it as their own good deed. Producers are worked to the bone, and forget about a social life. If you’re not one of the top 2 producers here, they will switch your shifts 24/7, sometimes 5 mins before the shift starts. Reporters and photographers also usually get the same short end of the stick.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I wouldn’t recommend this station to legit anyone. If you’re considering this station for a job, d yourself a favor and decline the offer or interview.”
News Director: Chris Gegg
“I worked under ND Doug Wieder, who was recently promoted to GM at the station”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“It’s hard to describe this shop because it was so day-to-day. More good than bad, definitely, but still problematic and worth sharing.
THE GOOD: The visual quality of the content they put out is fantastic, and they make sure to equip photogs and MMJs with the best stuff out there (gopros, dollys, shotgun mics, lighting kits, etc.). They were also very open to creative, new ideas for presenting your story. They encouraged long form journalism, like documentaries or series, and handled sweeps reasonably. TEGNA was an overall good parent company to be an employee of, too.
THE BAD: Managers often felt compelled to chase bogus news OR follow whatever WAVY, the #1 station in the market, is doing. So fixated on WAVY! The biggest issue I encountered in the newsroom, though, was a temperamental Assistant News Director. Her mood of the hour – even minute – would dictate YOUR day.
Also, about Doug Wieder, the former ND and now GM: be careful. Any employee from the last few years would tell you he preaches ‘we’re a family’ until you do something he doesn’t like. Then you’re basically dead to him – several instances come to mind. It’s a shame, and many people fell victim to his wrath. At least they’ve gone on to do better things anyways!”
News Director: Zoltan Csanyi Salcedo
“Career loser, does nothing. He and his underlings Angie Martinez and John Cavazos shouldn’t even be working here. Bad all around.”
While working for KRGV this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The station covers up for attacks on non-Spanish-speaking workers. Spanish-speaking dominates. This is an unsafe work environment. Listen to the others and stay away.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“You aren’t missing much with this station. The talent is bad, people are just sitting around and the product is worthless on a demo.”
News Director:
Experience described as: “Toxic, unappreciated”
While working for WTVO this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Everyone thinks they are top sh*t and management is horrible.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Gerardo Lopez
Experience described as: “great!”
While working for KJRH this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“HORRIBLE, I advise anyone looking into this place to stay away!”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Greg DeBrosse
Experience described as: “Negative, Disorganized and Chaotic”
While working for KPLC this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“When Hurricane Laura hit Lake Charles, the unorganization and lack or preparedness was revealed in KPLC. They were going to make the employees stay at the station knowing that the Hurricane would land as a Category 4 while disregarding CDC guidelines amid the pandemic. Employees were ordered to evacuate just HOURS before the storm made landfall because managers were not on the same page (still aren’t) and were going back and forth with meteorologists to determine if employees were in harm’s way (which they obviously were). Some employees even decided to take matters in their own hands due to the lack of guidance from management and evacuated themselves. Even though the employees who evacuated “prematurely” were threatened to be fired (for not wanting to stay during a category 4 Hurricane with a predictable unsurvivable water surge) remained employed but were treated disrespectfully while working there. There was no sensible plan from Greg DeBrosse, Rhonda Kitchens, Jillian Corder or John Ware during this life-threatening storm. They were all completely clueless and unprofessional. KPLC had their signal tower fall into the station due to the hurricane and I can’t imagine what could’ve happened if Greg DeBrosse and John Ware made their employees stay there. Upon returning to the station after a month of living in hotels and working tirelessly to have a newscast for our target audience who 95% didn’t even have cable service, the environment became even more toxic. Managers were rude to employees, employees were BURNT OUT, and still management were not on the same page when the second storm, hurricane Delta hit. It was completely mind-blowing how corrupted this news station is. Managers play favorites if you bow down to them or do everything they say but you’re in for a ride if you speak up for yourself or set your boundaries. They don’t like when you defend yourself and they will talk about you and treat you less than. KPLC has lost 11 employees between September 2019 – December 2019. This has nothing to do with this station being a starting market but has everything to do with management and the lack there of. I wish I could post screenshots of my emails, text messages and recored phone calls to reveal the truth but hopefully writing this serves a reliable insight for anyone who is looking to work here.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Overall advice: It’s not worth your mental health. Proceed at your own risk and good luck.”
News Director: Cathie Batbie
“She is very cut-throat and unreasonable. She is one of the worst to work for.”
While working for KVOA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“It is an extremely toxic work environment. Cathie plays favorites big time and mainly based on physical appearance and who will kiss up to her. Everyone is terrified of her, including the assistant news director, Ina Ronquillo – so Ina will throw you under the bus to make herself look good. The station was bought out by Quincy and they fired a lot of important people, so it is very understaffed. You’ll be required to do way more work than possible and beat down over and over again.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Dawn Miller
“Dawn means well, but is dealing with the constrains that the whole news department sees, that being understaffing. Often tasks are shouldered by people, including the MMJs, whose jobs should not include those tasks.”
While working for WOLF this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This is the prime location for someone to experience burnout. While the staff members are great, almost everyone who works here has, on multiple occasions, expresses serious frustrations with leadership, communication, and resources. This station was not built for career longevity.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“This is a news share with anchors and producers halfway across the country in Indiana. There is only one show at 10 pm which means after 5:30 pm, you are basically on your own since management at the PA location is gone. Anchors are working on another show and producers are not familiar with the area. There is no assignment editor or other support staff. If you are looking to get experience and don’t mind toughing it out for two years, this is for you. You do get opportunities to cover the big stories since it’s a small staff and nobody can play too much of a seniority card since nobody stays very long.”
News Director: Kevin Brennan
“I honestly don’t know what he does every day. No presence in the newsroom.”
While working for WSAV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This station is not run like a newsroom should be run. The staff does nothing but create more drama which creates a bad work environment.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“DO NOT WORK HERE! If you’re looking for your first or second job this is not the place. The newsroom is run by a bunch of people who don’t care to put out a good news product. I’m shocked that the viewers actually watch. Most people who work here have been here for 10-20 years but the reporter turnover is high. Apparently this station use to run somewhat decent but now it’s all down hill. A number of reporters/producers don’t even fully finish their contracts. The number 3 station is quickly catching up so I won’t be surprised if the ratings change.
We don’t chase stories and we rarely show up to breaking news scenes that we should be at. The call can come over the scanner and nobody pays attention. They will depend on the freelancer to go get video and sound and won’t have a reporter presence on scene. There are good stories that we miss all the time or we report it the day after when it’s old. If you’re looking to get more live experience you won’t get it. Want to go live for breaking news? Nope, you won’t get anything for your reel and we have shootings all the time. Ask for a photog and you’ll be told no unless you’re a favorite. The photogs are lazy and we only have four. There is no set nightside photog so the MMJ will have to pick up every story that pops up.
The producers only care about filling time but will never drop a story to put something new in. They rerun stories from the night before and they’ll even pull stories from Friday and over the weekend to fill up the Monday shows with old news. I have no idea what our ND does all day but he doesn’t contribute to the every day news process only sending out a few emails a day with small updates that should probably make the shows but it never does. He’ll leave that up to the EP who could care less. If you don’t work dayside don’t expect any attention to go to the morning show or nightside shows.
Because of the pandemic all reporters and photographers are working at home and I can say we all love it because we don’t have to deal with the people at the station, but there are no resources to make sure you get your work done at home effectively. There is a constant battle of trying to make this station better and catch up to the number one but nobody cares to put in the work. If you like storytelling you won’t get better here. If you have a problem plan for it not to be solved.
My best advice to you is run in the opposite direction of this station. The market does offer some bigger stories sometimes especially in 2020 with the election but after this dies down you’ll struggle to find good stories. You can honestly do whatever story you want at this station just so you fill your time. You can say the sky is falling just to get something in the show.
Lastly, negotiate your contract! There are several reporters here who get the run around. Most signed for 3-2.5 years but others were lucky and got 2 years.”
News Director: Olivia Dangler
While working for WHTM this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“All other reviews for this station are accurate. Extremely toxic environment. Managers gossip about employees and do not address problems. Hard work goes unnoticed. People who do nothing get praised for sucking up.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you care about your mental health, do not work here.”
News Director: Jeff Houston
“Terrible. The newsroom is pretty chaotic and disorganized. More so than a normal newsroom. Jeff likes to flip schedules around pretty frequently. If you upset him or challenge him in any way, you’ll be on the overnights for a few months. Overall it’s a toxic and negative environment. Turnover is pretty high. That’s why they require producers to sign contracts and non competes.”
While working for WBMA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Quite possibly the most unpleasant place I have ever worked. The news director thrives on making his people miserable. Glad I finally got out. He has forced many many good people out of the business. People are fighting and even breaking contracts to get out of here.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This used to be a great station. Current management has made it a terrible place to work. I feel sorry for those who are still stuck there. Y’all get out! Be brave! Move on to something better! Glad I did.”
News Director: Elbert Tucker
Experience described as: “Poor”
While working for WKRN this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This station is extremely poorly managed. Severely understaffed. No positive feedback or reinforcement from management, employees are not appreciated or valued. Zero consideration for employee well-being. Overworked and underpaid is the name of the game. Be ready to do the workload of several people. This station operates like a small market. Abusive and toxic.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Do yourself a favor and work at channel 5.”
News Director: Greg Debrosse
“Terrible choice for a ND. Turtles in make or break situations.”
While working for KPLC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The Station is full of “Burnouts” basically slothing by for a pay check. Even though it’s obviously a starter market, there’s no teaching moments or constructive criticism. You get talked down to constantly. And if you decide to stand up for yourself, you’re accused of being unprofessional.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“My main realization that ND was not looking out for the safety of his staff was when Hurricane Laura approached our area, it took a auxiliary meteorologist (who came in from a sister station) to call his ND & GM to tell Greg to evacuate the building because he did not want to sacrifice content. Because of his ignorance, everyone had to make a 2 hour drive to Baton Rouge in tropical storm weather to get somewhere safe. Glad he did call his bosses to tell Greg because our antenna tower toppled into our studio. Two of the three managers and a producer just decided to do their own thing when we evacuated instead of going to where they were supposed to and no reprimand was handed out. He then proceeded to write an (now deleted) op-ed on LinkedIn on how “he made the decision to leave KPLC” making himself out to be a selfless hero while we busted our asses to stream a barebones broadcast online.
The next hurricane coverage in October (Delta) during my wall to wall, I had to be the leader because when a system in the TMP room started to fail, Greg’s face is buried into his hands instead of being on top of things working with engineering to find a solution. Later that night when
No sense of teamwork in the newsroom between shifts. It gets very territorial.
70% of the work that gets done is by the young producers/reporters/digital. The “managers” rather just coast along except for David Bray who is the backbone of that newsroom and keeps things running.
Once you tell them you’re leaving it’s like open season for them to take childish, passive shots at you during your notice window.
And don’t bother confronting Greg on it because he goes with the “oh you heard that wrong, I meant it this way” line that everyone sees through. Just no accountability for the “leadership”
If you do decide to work at KPLC, always listen to David because he steers you in the right direction that helps set up and prepare you when you advance your career.”
News Director: J.R. Havens
Experience described as: “Terrible”
While working for KFYR this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“News Director’s mood is completely erratic. Screams at everyone. Will find any reason to get rid of a reporter even if they drove thousands of miles for the position. Most difficult year of my life, but i wouldn’t have got the position I’m at now, if it weren’t for my experience there.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Anyone willing to work here should tread carefully and have a back-up position. The only good thing about that station is Cliff Naylor.”
News Director: Alex De Leon
Experience described as: “Excellent. I would even say the best boss I’ve ever had”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Working at this station was an incredible personal growth experience. Most of the reporters and producers are fresh out of college but the vets in the newsroom are there to help you grow. Alex was my news director for 2 of my 3 years there. He constantly challenged me and believed in my talent. In addition, the newsroom offers many opportunities to get promoted. The employees become a family, it’s unlike anything I’ve experienced elsewhere, so special. The negative reviews left here are from the same person who was fired for throwing a tantrum and attacking management. This newsroom is THE place you want to start your career at.”
News Director: CJ Hoyt
“Started at the beginning of the pandemic which has prevented him from getting to know the team. Nor has he tried, stay in his office and sends emails. Assistant News Director runs the ship.”
While working for WXIN this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Female reporters are treated poorly by upper management. Problems with management being on the same page. Moral is very low since the Nexstar merger, many have left.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Overall great station before Nexstar. One of the best. Still has potential but will take a lot of work. Needs a news director who knows what they are doing. One who doesn’t work for the company but the station.”
News Director: Lissa Hamblen
Experience described as: “Very good, comfortable experience”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This is a great station to work for. Your co-workers are your friends. You almost always get a photographer. It’s a stressful job, but the News Director, Asst News Director and Assignment Editor do everything they can to make it easier for you. This is a great place to live, learn and create a strong reel. Despite being the #2 station, I would prefer it over rumors of a toxic work environment at the #1 station.”
News Director: Mel Watson
Experience described as: “Toxic”
While working for WTVG this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Constant negative feedback, no training, talking behind your back, set up to fail then blamed for it, general incompetence, constant finger-pointing, playing favorites, no communication especially of expectations”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Everyone hates their job, but can’t get out because of their contracts. It’s a legacy station where the veteran reporters do next to no work and everyone else has to pick up the slack. The station recently got its first MMJs, and they are constantly berated, given the worst stories, and held to impossible standards. Every time you start to feel confident, someone will cut you down. There are too many bosses, all with different expectations, none of which are conveyed clearly. Working here has been the worst experience of my life. Most people who work here are lazy and incompetent, and they make the MMJs’ lives really hard. Then the MMJs are constantly told they’re not good enough and not doing enough, despite usually working 10-12 hours every day and being paid for 8.”
News Director: Bernie Ritter
“He doesn’t know what he is doing and plays favorite. He praised those willing to work overtime for no extra pay but if you just ignore him, he would ignore you so that was nice.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“Very unorganized but you were given a lot of creative freedom. Management never seemed to hate an idea I pitched. I wouldn’t recommend this station simply because management would recognize that there were some horrible employees (ones who just couldn’t pull their weight) and instead of fixing the problem, they’d just talk about them to others.”
News Director: Bernie Ritter
“Absolutely awful. Chose favorite reporters, did not defend me when I was sexually harassed, expected me to work for free (on an hourly wage) because “the station was no longer giving overtime”
While working for WNCT this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“When I was sexually harassed via email by a viewer, I was reprimanded by the news director for responding and standing up for myself. The ND claimed “we don’t respond to viewers in a negative way” and actually said that I “brought [the harassment] on myself” because of what I was wearing.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Three months into working at the station, they said they would “no longer be paying overtime,” but we were still ordered to work extra hours. We were not paid anything for those hours, despite making an hourly wage. The news director favored reporters who didn’t fight back against this, and often praised them while tearing down other reporters.
I was an MMJ in a bureau an hour and a half from the main station, and never received any feedback from the main station unless it was negative. I was also reprimanded for not coming in to optional, unpaid work meetings held on the weekends at the main station.
I quit my job after 8 months because it took such a toll on my mental health that I lost nearly 30 pounds. When I quit, they threatened to make me pay out my full contract, despite North Carolina having a “right to work” law which prohibits this. I was told to “make an offer” of what I would pay to get out of my contract. The news director also threatened to take me to court if the offer wasn’t high enough, and said that I would lose because I didn’t have enough money to fight with Nexstar.
This was a truly terrible work environment, and I hope my review helps other MMJs avoid this station.”
News Director: Rick McLaughlin
“He is great, just ask him. Wait.. don’t. He will tell you anyway.”
While working for WAPT this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you’re young and want a chance to make a difference, go elsewhere. The ND does not create opportunities for anyone and only talks about how great he is.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The only thing this station has going for it is the anchors they plucked from other stations in this market.”
News Director: Randy Bain
Experience described as: “Pleasant but also seems to play favorites.”
While working for KTBS this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Some managers were anti-Hispanic and quite frankly racist. Once, one manager said, “We’re in America,” after he insisted a Hispanic name be pronounced the wrong way. Similar racist attitude amongst some former and current reporters. Male managers favor white people over POC. With only one full-time photographer, unlike the competition, reporters/MMJ typically cover 2-5 stories in a day. In recent years, long-time anchors who paid their dues were rewarded with some kind of demotion in the form of adding reporter duties and less time on the desk. Instead of hiring the right number of employees to get the job done, managers just put excessive work load on its employees. They push for more and more content for broadcast and online platforms without considering the impact on underpaid and overworked employees. If you want to work tirelessly without overtime pay or comp time, work here. If you’re allergic to a toxic environment, do yourself a massive favor and apply elsewhere. One positive comment: there are No contracts for most MMJs. That means you can walk away after a few months which is what many do. Those who have stayed constantly complain about how miserable they are at work and are trying to find ways to leave.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“HR was pretty much non-existent. Employees do not have a voice. This station cannot keep employees for more than a few years for a reason.”
News Director: Cathie Batbie
“She plays favorites hard. She can be very cut-throat if you are not on her good side.”
While working for KVOA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management is overall toxic. Assistant news director is terrified of the ND and will throw reporters under the bus in a heartbeat to make herself look better. ND is also extremely tough on women and their appearances.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
News Director: Rhonda Lavelle
Experience described as: “Awe full, toxins, belittling”
While working for WXYZ this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Rhonda tells and screams or writes passive aggressive emails constant.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative Toxic
Additional comments:
“You just do what your told. Don’t ever question anything”
News Director: Chris Henao
“Nice guy, but lacks decisiveness, leadership, and aggressiveness”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“The KHOU newsroom isn’t toxic, it’s just terribly disorganized, lacks leadership, and has no structure. The management team is very green and the dayside EP falsified timesheets for several producers, to eliminate the overtime they rightfully worked. It has the feeling of a small market and that’s obvious in the on-air product. It’s unfortunate because KHOU used to be a heritage and legacy station in the market.”
News Director: Elbert Tucker
Experience described as: “Lackluster”
While working for WKRN this person experienced:
“The morale at the station is extremely low. ND seems bitter and rarely praises the hard work done in the newsroom. Instead, he complains at anyone’s efforts. Station is severely understaffed.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Avoid it, at all cost.”
News Director: Amy Sullivan
Experience described as: “Brash, incompetent news director; no newsroom leadership; everyone is just coasting”
While working for KGBT/KVEO this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Very bad place to be. Everyone is expected to do double-duty. If you’re an anchor, you produce. If you’re a producer, you’re producing 2 shows. If you’re an MMJ, you’re doing hits for both stations (duopoly). There is a lack of action when it comes to breaking news. We were always short-staffed. The news director is a producer, not a leader, and the way she carries herself makes that obvious. There’s no real leadership here, everyone is just coasting. We can’t even look up to the anchors for real advice because they’re the same age as MMJs and producers. It’s like college all over again.”
News Director: Mitch Davis
“Mitch is an interesting person. He’s a great salesman and makes sure he talks up all these things he’s going to do for you, then never follows through. He plays favorites, talks down to and degrades new reporters almost daily on the morning phone call. He will never have your back either. He’s very hands off when it comes to newsroom operations and spends most of the day up in his office.”
While working for WKBN this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“All I have to say is look at the station website bios. There is currently only one person of color that works not in just the newsroom, but THE WHOLE STATION. This is not a friendly place for any race. Multiple racial comments are made all the time by multiple members of the staff and it is a very alt. right leaning atmosphere.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“There is no set schedule unless you are a main anchor or weather. Some days you’ll be off Monday Tuesday other days you’ll be off Thursday Friday which makes you work 8-9 days in a row. You can also work a nightside shift then a morning shift the next day with less than 8 hours in between. You do get a lot of crime experience if that’s up your alley. The housing situation for out of state hires is awful too. Youngstown is pretty much a warzone so you have to be careful with where you live. The only good manager is Jason Vinkler, he truly cares for your well-being and will take things seriously. The others are mediocre at best. Please do not let Mitch trick you into coming here with a bunch of empty promises. The handling of COVID-19 has been less than spectacular, they’ve exposed multiple employees and won’t tell them, just be warned.”
News Director: Steve Booher
“Very hands off. Old school in a bad way. Makes sexist, ableist comments.”
While working for KNPG this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“They are so desperate for people they will not fire anyone. HR complaints lead to conversations so nothing is put on the record. They are a hybrid station so you will have to work for the paper as well, and there are not enough people to make things run smoothly. They do not pay overtime and do reimburse the legal amount for mileage.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The town itself is very toxic. I saw so many journalists leave the industry because they became so discouraged here.”
News Director: Sarah Truitt
Experience described as: “Mentor, constructive feedback, flexible.”
While working for WMDT this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment
“One of the station’s previous employees was sexually harassing almost all of the reporters, often over social media DMs. No one spoke up until the employee left for a new job.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational
Additional comments:
“This is a great station to start. You can try your hand at almost anything and get experience covering anything you are interested in. If you are passionate about a topic, you will likely be able to cover it. The work load is heavy but it prepares you for moving higher into a Top 50 market. Most of the reporters are right out of college. You can grow here and learn a lot if you have an open mind and positive attitude. The equipment is not reliable and annoying to deal with at times. The station doesn’t have a lot of money to work with which explains the equipment and low salaries. The set is completely virtual/green screen.”
News Director:
“The current news director is good. News share – producers and anchors work out of South Bend but reporters, photogs, and everyone else is in Toledo. The newsroom environment in Toledo is overall exciting & not toxic.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“At times, things are unorganized but overall it’s not a bad place to work.”
News Director: Chad Mahoney
“Chad Mahoney and the GM Carlos Fernandez create an undeniably toxic work environment that spreads throughout the entire news department.”
While working for WGEM this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Unorganized, poor communication, and extremely negative. Treatment of females is horrible and degrading. This is supposed to be a station that works with photographers/reporters to grow their skillset, however only about 2% of the photographer/reporters move on to other stations. In fact, the majority of the photogs/reporters who work there never continue in the news business. Ironic that it’s supposed to be starting point for budding journalists, but no one ever continues down that career path. Chad Mahoney is rude, degrading, sexist and stifles any sort of creativity. Not a good place for a journalist to grow. Look somewhere else!”
News Director: Brad Ginsberg
Experience described as: “Toxic, unsupported”
While working for KNOE this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Any journalist who wants to excel in this industry…I suggest you run far away from this station. Brad Ginsberg is incompetent as a news director and the newsroom is always severely understaffed. Brad rewards the mediocre white women in the newsroom with opportunities due to favoritism and silences the concerns and needs of other employees. He enables the employees he favors to feel as if they have more authority in this newsroom than they do. This is also his first position in leadership and it shows. There is an insufficient amount of equipment for all of the reporters. This is not the kind of environment where you should go if you want to feel supported and grow.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
While working for WTAJ this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The station is very unorganized and there is an extreme lack of communication. Quantity of work is worth more than the people and even quality of work (that could also be a Nexstar thing). Employees are under-valued up until they threaten to leave (because one less employee means less content), mistreated and given absolutely no feedback. Some people get away with producing no work while others are expected to provide 4-5 stories.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The things mentioned are NOT common in all newsrooms that I’ve been a part of so don’t let that discourage you. It should make you wonder when you have two producers quit after less than three weeks and two photographers quit after only a few months (with most of the newsroom that is contracted wanting out as well).
The General Manager is respectable and does care for his employees, however, isn’t directly involved with daily newsroom activities.”
While working for KWES this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“seeing coworkers do it with each other is menacing………especially seeing the managers doing it with the employees…….favoritism is menacing……….”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“A you can find something alot better then the drama:……cant say i expect alot from a small dma where everyone’s dating and having sex”
News Director: Janet Hundley
Experience described as: “Horrifying”
While working for WVIT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Janet hundley makes dumb decisions ( when she makes any at all) she plays favorites and has a running career history of lawsuits and tanking station ratings”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The nd. Assistant nd managing editor ep are all useless and inexperienced, even the gm is on her first gm job. A great station at one time that has tanked and is now micro managed by inexperienced “managers””
News Director: Jesse O’Neil
Experience described as: “Rude, full of himself, inexperienced”
While working for KOAT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Hopefully I won’t be here too much longer but I’ll chime in to save someone else the pain. If you’re coming here as a manager you’ll probably like it because they now have 3 times the number of people doing what just a few managed 2 years ago. Crews in the field have it the worst. We never know who’s looking over which shows, who to contact during the day. The new ND has had more time off since he started than we’ve all had this year. He took over and troubled struggling green newsroom and when I’ve called the station to talk to him about leaving he’s always off.
GM doesn’t care. She allowed the News Director to fire the only producer who had experience and didn’t screw over the crews out in the field. Why? Because she was was fearful of Covid and wanted to work at home. @Hearst doesn’t care about their people. Not at this station. But managers work from home all the time and even some favored producers.
The ND is petty and I know people with a year plus left on their deals who’ve already started looking.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The station is run on nothing but inconsistent management. Seems to favor a green producer staff. Some have good attitudes . others are allowed to be nasty and then crews get in trouble if they react back after constant bs from the booth. Get out of TV before you consider KOAT.
Or, if for whatever reason you want to be in New Mex, look at KRQE, Solid GM I hear who knows the market. Staff like it over there. Adults with experience who run the shop respectfully and don’t treat hard working people with threats.
And,,,,they have about triple the number of people for every job , unless us. Always scraping to get by. Competent leadership would care more about quality and not just getting on the air but when we are communicating with multiple managers who all tell you different things all day, hard to make quality anything and make slot.”
News Director: Matt Stein
“Verbally abusive, worst news director, in fact worst leader I’ve ever worked for. He pushes his agenda, he makes you feel stupid, he belittles you, says you aren’t important to viewers, no news judgement.”
While working for WAAY this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“You will enter this place and want to leave your first day. Matt Stein is the problem. He always has been, and will be till he is fired. He is a liar, a manipulator, someone who doesn’t know how to lead.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“He will make you feel so unimportant, countless people have left the business after working for him.”
News Director: Nicole Hogenson
“Nicole was the cheap option when there was a news director position for Scripps to fill. She was inexperienced in upper management prior to becoming news director. She has trouble finding focus in morning meetings and story assignments. She has comprehension issues when checking scripts. She also shows favoritism to a few and beats down everyone else. She was by far the most toxic and incompetent news director I’ve ever worked for.”
While working for WPTV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Mostly great people at this station. Everyone bonds by commiserating management together. Toxic management and overwhelming workloads. Lots of overtime at this station, whether you’re up for it or not. MMJs turn multiple packages/VOSOTs for back to back shows, generally with multiple studio or newsroom hits daily. When paired with a photographer, two and sometimes even three packages are expected with live hits in multiple shows. It can feel like a sweat shop at times.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Many don’t last at this station. Management has driven a number of talented employees to break contract and get out of the business.”
News Director: None currently (formerly Matt Stein)
Experience described as: “Awful”
While working for WAAY this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Matt Stein was just fired, so things could take a positive turn with a new news director that isn’t an awful human being. A new GM is in place there too. But this station has been bought and sold multiple times in the last couple of years and no one’s been able to actually do more to fix things than buy a few new vehicles and cameras. The building’s disgusting and falling apart and on top of a mountain, so the commute to work sucks unless you live up there too. There are people there who want to do good work, but in my experience they never had enough support.”
News Director: Brad Ginsberg
Experience described as: “Horrible, Toxic.”
While working for KNOE this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“All of the negative reviews about this station are accurate. Management does not communicate well with employees and this newsroom is run by incompetent management. Toxic work environment. This newsroom is always severely understaffed because people resign. The news director Brad Ginsberg has no experience and it shows. He does not know how to communicate with employees and does not treat all employees equally. He has also burnt bridges with many key contacts throughout the city. Run far away.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Matt Stein
Experience described as: “Educational, demanding and a lil fun”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“Ya’ll don’t know what you’re talking about. WAAY was a mess before Matt got there. The news director before him was a witch. I learned so much working there.
All the managers want the reporters to do a good job. They won’t let ya’lls stories on TV if they aren’t any good.
I got 100x better and better than yall cuz I listened to Matt, Rachel and Regan. They don’t always agree with what I want but they listen and will change their minds.”
News Director: Jenelle Shriner
“I worked with Jenelle. She picks favorites depending on who kisses her behind. If you stand up for yourself, you will be casted out. She chooses whoever she likes best for promotions within her station, not based on talent. She allows those with the most experience to bully others below them. When she addresses you for being wrong, it’s usually rude and condescending. Prayers for her new station.”
While working for KPLC this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you’re black and stand up for yourself, expect your issues to be casted aside. Jenelle is rude most of the times, he barely speaks if she doesn’t like you. Head anchors are allowed to talk crazy to new people. Left as soon as I could.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Jess O’Neill
While working for KOAT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you have another opportunity take it. As I sit in a much larger market now I have the current KOAT Asst, ND Melissa Williams to thank. When my former friends still stuck in that place showed me her grand EMMY win pic she posted of herself this week, current and former employees want to barf. Just know that it’s clear evidence of how this newsroom runs. Come here, work your butt off, be verbally abused by management. They take credit for everytihng and lie constantly. “Her” emmy was for a newscast that so many people made happen that night. Here in my current newsroom, they were nominated for an newscast Emmy too and it credits the station STAFF….Not ONLY some loser manager who just yells at people and noone listened to that night we were putting that emmy winning show together anyway (me included).
Melissa Williams entered herself for a newscast Emmy and only put herself. Not staff, not KOAT team. All the newscast entries were for Staff . Except KOAT. Thank you to her, that award winning night i said i would be leaving that place somehow.
Surprised she’s still there. Inflated ego and mistreatment has ruined that place.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I’m gone so haven’t worked with the new ND but have a lot of good pals left at the station . They now make reporters do 2 packages a day . So get ready, They run the place BARE BONES,. this is not your typical Hearst-run station. I’ve heard they keep padding the place with more managers but then burn out reporters and sometimes have just 1 reporter a day. Be warned.”
News Director: “? Stein got fired”
Experience described as: “Awful”
While working for WAAY this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Josh Good
“Josh was a nightmare to work with. It was like the mean kid in high school choosing who to make an outcast. He would ask for things to be a certain way, then complain when it didn’t look right (although it was exactly what he asked for.) if you don’t have high self-esteem, do not work for him. If you are not okay with being called a curse word behind your back and to your face, don’t work for him. And if you’re definitely not okay with him talking about private meetings meant just for him and HR, do not work for this man. I don’t know who had a stroke and hired a 28 year old ex-anchor… But it was the wrong decision and he creates the most toxic work environment.”
While working for News15 this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“No one was professional. Anchors would talk about people while their mics were hot. If they didn’t like you, they would spread lies to the higher ups to get you removed. There is absolutely no room for growth at this station because any role you get placed in, you will never do it correctly. You will always be talked about even when doing a good job, someone who does no work will always get treated better because they’re in the “in-crowd,” and everything you say will be critiqued or mocked in front of others.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I wouldn’t wish this job on my worst enemy. I am writing this to warn others that this is NOT the station you need to be at. Allen Media needs to take control of their people or clean house. Nothing you get from here is worth the nights of no sleep wondering how to make work not miserable. If you didn’t like high school cliques, stay far away. An ethics board needs to seriously look into management, the news director, most of the anchors, and a health inspector needs to condemn the building.”
News Director: Tia Streeter
“Tia is amazing. She’s a great boss that cares a lot about her team.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“KX News is in Bismarck, ND. For young reporters, this is a GREAT starter market. I had friends at my station and the competing one. While the winters in North Dakota are tough, the job is great. I was MMJ/weekend anchor when I left KX. I still keep in touch with the news director as she has become a mentor for me in my next job. Starting salary for MMJ’s out of college is pretty awesome. Around $32K.
If you want to be at a place that invests in you and truly teaches you storytelling, don’t pass up Bismarck. I couldn’t say enough good things.”
News Director: Josh Good
“Terrible. He likes drama and has favorites. He will not help you grow. Not genuine. Luckily I have stayed off his radar. I feel bad for those who haven’t.”
While working for KADN this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Assistant News Director is like family. I love the area and Acadiana has become my home.”
News Director: Matt Stein
“It was the worst place to ever work.”
While working for WAAY this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“It is troubling to know Matt Stein actually looks at these things (I know because he has pulled producers, reporters into his office to ask them about these ratings) and is writing the “good” reviews himself. The honest truth is this WILL be a horrible job for you. You WILL cry and HATE every second of it, and blame yourself for being so dumb to accept his offer. He is manipulative and fosters a toxic environment on purpose. In fact, he was fired from his job at WREG (Memphis) before coming to WAAY for creating a toxic environment. The station was even warned via email by a WREG employee (right before he started at WAAY) that he will create a toxic environment. This was known by upper management, including HR and the General Manager. Within a few months (YES MONTHS) of his arrival, nearly 14 quit (many of them broke their contracts including a member of management).
Do not believe anything that paints the picture of WAAY being anything but a horrible place to work at where they will belittle you, break you down, and leave you in a puddle of your own tears just for their amusement.
To put it simple, MOST PEOPLE break their contracts here. If you have any mind of your own at this station and dare to speak up, he will isolate you and make your work experience a living hell.
DO NOT WORK HERE! I honestly wish I wasn’t typing this. I honestly wish I, along with many others, had a pleasant experience here. But, knowing Stein is even trying to manipulate people who look this site up is disgusting and I had to say something.
I just wish someone was looking out for me before I went there. You can do better.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Matt Stein is racist, homophobic, and sexist and should’ve never been hired. He has at least one complaint filed against him for the aforementioned things, and it would likely be more if he didn’t instill fear in his employees.”
News Director: David Lee
“Verbally abusive, put me down, mocked me, degraded me bullied me, drove Good people out. Any pushback meant he didn’t like you and he wasn’t going to make your time there easy, disrespectful, didn’t know what he was talking about half the time when it came to stacking and producing shows, clearly targeted me and certain employees while purposely trying to clean house. It was a nightmare to be working for him. Had anxiety during shows waiting for an email he was going to send to talk down to me about. A lot more to say but you get the jist of it. He’s a horrible “leader” which is not what he deserves to be called at all. Did I mention the 30 plus jobs he’s had? Yup.”
While working for WFRV this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Look at the paragraph above about my boss.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Don’t work here. Underpaid people as well. They run on a skeleton crew to save a quick buck. People have three different position titles and don’t get paid extra.”
News Director: Marybeth Jacoby
Experience described as: “Good”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“Like any job its what you make it. I enjoyed my two years at WVLT. The people who work there are amazing. There is a high turn over rate in producers and reporters. There are plenty of people who will help guide you if you are willing to seek out their help. Managers are not all on the same page which makes things difficult, but forces you to get better independently. If you are looking to be with a photographer often, that won’t happen here. If you’re willing to bust it everyday, come with ideas you will succeed, just be prepared for anything. You can leave here a better reporter if you find the right people to mentor you and push you in the building.”
News Director: Curtis jackson
“No direction. Not helpful with growth. No one cares and only like mormans or other LDS people.”
While working for KIFI/KIDK this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“A lot passive aversive people in the office. Wet common for coworkers to speak badly of other. Reporters get mad if another has a better story that is in the tops. Discrimination against women is very common. Was told a woman’s place is in the home where they belong and no one will listen to a woman’s opinion because it isn’t valid.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“General manager will not hire enough staff. They run two stations on a skeleton crew And will make reporters cover up to 3 stories a day. GM is cheap.”
While working for WJXT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I would walk into the bathroom to find producers crying. A certain morning show anchor was always a complete asshole.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“It’s a good (paid) internship program. You have an opportunity to experience all shifts, record stand-ups, and learn from talented people in a large market. I didn’t even realize how toxic the work environment was until I got my first “real” journalism job elsewhere.”
News Director: Brian Gregory
Experience described as: “Terrible”
While working for KDVR this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The news director has his favorites who are allowed to do whatever they want, and be as terrible as they want, and he turns a blind eye. If you aren’t a favorite, he’ll never acknowledge you.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“They did not tell anyone there was a covid case in the building. When you went to management with concerns they were swept under the rug. For months producers worked at home with a select few coming into the building to booth all the shows… meaning they no longer got to produce and had to watch the same show 6 times a day since the producers are lazy and just drag one story, mistakes and all, from one show to another. Management will not work with anchors who ask for certain producers to work on their shows. Laziness is rewarded, hard work is not.”
News Director: Ryan Hazelwood
Experience described as: “Terrible”
While working for KOAA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I was verbally harassed daily by the production manager/ director. She constantly blamed her mistakes on me. Daily she would curse at me.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I would try new things, the set is amazing, but if he didn’t like it he would just yell at you. Him and the production manager are old high school buddies, I would call her out on her mistakes and he sat me down in his office and tried to intimate me by putting his elbows on his desk and leaning toward me and threatened me with having to do what she said and with a certain number of animations per show. Overall toxic, extremely unwelcoming and terrible communication.”
News Director: Jess O’Neill
Experience described as: “Negative, Moody”
While working for KOAT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Station continues to get worse. Sadly, everything that’s been written is true. The GM has sat in her office for years telling employees different stories and playing dumb.
They refuse to hire anyone with experience anymore so if you actually care about doing real news don’t come here. We get beat on all the big stories and managers don’t want to hear it. They blame the crews for voicing concern. Producers are fresh out of school or have no newsroom experience. Some are trying others have horrible attitude and are nasty to reporters and managers blame the crews instead.
Producers get no real help or coaching so reporters battle everyday with producers.
Until @hearst decides to hire good managers who actually care and will listen to those actually trying to make things better more people will throw in the towel. #hearst #koat”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Legal claims are in the works from a variety of current/former staff.
And they fired the ONLY good producer we had. She was respected and was 1000 times better than our non existent EP. But the station allows managers to work from home where they do nothing but she was given ultimatum to work IN the newsroom despite COVID worries or get canned. Hearst claims to care about employees. There’s one example of what that really means.”
News Director: Jesse O’Neill
Experience described as: “Disrespectful, condescending, immature, inappropriate”
While working for KOAT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“There was so much hope with a new ND starting and this guy has been here for 2 months and already decided he’d rather play boss for the first time in his career and cost the station good people. Sadly the last poster was right on all counts. Reporters need help. Managers misguide them then make them out to be the inept ones. Most nights we call from the field and rarely is there someone on the assignment desk. We get BEAT on so many stories. I see other stations in the field asking about what happened to KOAT? Well , a GM took over who lies to staff and pretends she doesn’t know what’s happening in the newsroom for the last 2 years. Isn’t that her job?
Constant revolving door. 2 pkgs a day for reporters because we have no staff. But the station is one step away from something going really wrong because a 22 year old producer was forced into a position without any care.
@Hearst may be good in other places but look for even more to quit and leave soon (with contracts).”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The ONLY experienced producer was just FIRED for working from home. She didn’t feel comfortable with the lack of covid precautions. She produced from home, As a reporter she is the only one who knows how to communicate with field crews. The canned her. So now we are left with a newsroom recent college grads. This place is more like market 140. If you have an opportunity to go to the other stations, take it. They staff their station. Just watch the product. They have more than 1 reporter doing all the shows. And they must have fact checkers, because here, managers are pitiful and abusive and will lie to save themselves.”
News Director: Barb Roethler
“Barb Roethler is the worst person in news, if not the entire media business. This woman does not care about a single person who works for her. I don’t work here anymore but stumbled on the site and had to give my informed opinion. She is so insufferable to work for that the weather guy of 30+ years left and so did the morning anchor. Did I mention that there is only one person of color on the air @NABJ?”
While working for WILX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The quality on the website is bad now. So glad I’m not there. Multiple typos or mistakes in every article. She either gets no applicants because of low pay or is blind to good applicants. The people in the newsroom are very nice. They just have to stay quiet all day because she’s in her office. Apparently Roethler went on a 2 week vacation on election day.”
News Director: Eric Walters
Experience described as: “Toxic. Negative. Neglectful. Disrespectful. Miserable.”
While working for WJCL this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I laughed out loud while reading the review from June 23. It was CLEARLY written by a manager or an anchor trying to save face for this toxic and failing news station. Ignore this “positive” review. WBTW is DESPERATE and pathetic. This is how low they’ve stooped to get people on their team. Trust your gut and more importantly, trust the negative reviews because they were written by people who actually worked as MMJs under Eric Walters’s leadership, unlike the person who wrote that “positive” review.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Listen to every single one of the negative reviews. Every single one. Work somewhere else. There are plenty of stations to choose from.”
News Director: Barb Roethler
“Horrible. She’s manipulative, conniving, sends empty emails and expects you to guess what she wants. will ask you if you knocked on someone’s door for ratings. Ethics out the window for her. She really does not care. Get everything in writing. Everything and start documenting everything because she’ll do the same for you and have it ready whenever she feels like you overstepped you’re boundaries or challenges her authority.”
While working for WILX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Not open to creative control, you’re not allowed to tell her or the EP Jeff no. Jeff also has anger issues. If he has a bad day EVERYONE has to have a bad day. She’ll also send a million emails in one day and add on to your daily tasks as she pleases randomly and for reason. She also leaves early nearly every single day. And good luck getting time off.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Just don’t go.”
News Director: Jess O’Neill
Experience described as: “Overwhelmed – unprepared”
While working for KOAT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The leadership from Jess to Melissa Williams set a tone of overall incompetence. The EP is uninvolved. There is no training or growth for green producers who have been brought in with no prior experience and can not even booth their shows confidently. The new GM is nonexistent. The rumor is she was a solid newsroom leader once but is a ghost who only cares about issues directly impacting her. KOAT gets crushed daily on coverage.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Reporters are as green as the producers and are expected to turn two pkg’s a day with no editorial guidance and burden the blame of management when something goes wrong.”
News Director: Brian Gregory
Experience described as: “Absolutely rude and unprofessional.”
While working for KDVR this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Brian Gregory is a disgrace to the news business. He is a terrible communicator with a horrible attitude and has NO BUSINESS managing a news station whatsoever.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Brian Gregory is an absolute joke and encapsulates everything that is wrong with the news business. Very, VERY unprofessional and disrespectful.”
News Director: Rod Jackson
Experience described as: “Positive, but micromanaged”
While working for WOWK this person experienced:
“There’s a lot to like about the station and a lot to dislike. Weather is top notch and there is a crop of promising young reporters. The station has a foundation built on mud though. People rarely News Director is a smart caring guy, but direction changes due to overall miscommunication or on his whim. Your ideas are heard but rarely followed upon and you’re forced to deal with situations with no input or you hear second hand from others. Lots of younger people at the station, so loads of cliques and gossip. Sales department is creative bankrupt and interferes with content a lot on web presence.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Do your research. Newsroom is a revolving door of management and personalities. News Director is a caring, smart guy, but he’s the longest tenured ND and he’s been there a year.”
News Director: Jessie ONeill
“BEWARE before taking a job here”
While working for KOAT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Thank god I left when I did. I had the “pleasure” of working with the worst managers in tv news. Now that I’m in a bigger market I see how people should be treated and how real managers know how to actually run a newsroom. Laughable today that the newsroom shared with former KOAT’ers that Melissa Williams the most clueless and nasty one I worked with is bragging that she was nominated for an emmy on a night we all watched her do nothing but be verbally abusive to staff in the field.
Greg Shepperd got fired because he allowed his lying managers to destroy that place and they are still there. Ask any employee past or present how incompetent managers are. Staff takes the heat instead for problems that NEVER should happen.
I hear it’s no better with the new ND. Only worse. BE careful before working there, Do your homework. The station has the least number of reporters in the market. Constant revolving door.
The new ND sounds like an inexperienced bully that says really legally risky things to employees. I know of a few who are ready to bolt with the backing of attorneys.
That station has so many great people but noone will be left. there are greener pastures.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Previous News Director: Gary Kanofsky
Experience described as: “Terrible.”
Current News Director: Katie Farritor
While working for RFD-TV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Typical news experience as an on-camera female. Rarely called into the news director’s office but, if ever, comments on looking pretty, “I don’t like that dress on you,” etc. we’re always made in every meeting.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Patrick Gottsch owns RFD-TV. He lives in Omaha but the station is located in Nashville. You rarely see him, but he makes irrational, crazy decisions via phone calls (usually screaming at the top of his lungs for no reason). The news director there when I got hired, Gary Kanofsky, was never there. Lived in NYC and flew in on occasion. Totally disconnected from the broadcasts and only wanted to sit around and talk about his glory days (which are lies, by the way) while we should have been working on making the newscasts better. The current news director, Katie Farritor, is an awful human being, not a good producer, and threw multiple people under the bus to get promoted with lies. She told management people that on-air talent like me, and a couple great producers and editors, said bad things about the company in public. We know the business and “play the game” and would never say bad things in front of people like her, knowing she would do something like that. Well, she did and they believed her. Up she went in the company, and ALL of us she lied about were let go within a few months – if not as a direct result of her lies. (So NOW I don’t mind posting this in public). I personally was let go when Verizon dropped this so-called rural network and they let go of 40% of employees. In my “you’re being let go” meeting, they actually told me “non-farm” people were being let go. This was insulting because we researched and did our jobs as journalists do, learning about farming and rural America inside-out for the job, but Patrick Gottsch and his daughter, Raquel (just as awful) truly discriminate against “non-farm” people. Who would have thought that’s a thing? At RFD-TV, it is.
Best thing that happened to me was being let go. Life moves on and I laugh with fellow co-workers I have stayed in touch with about RFD-TV now (“we actually worked there?!”) but I wanted to be sure to warn others in case they’re considering working there. Especially now that Katie Farritor is News Director. If you’re a true journalist, don’t be tempted when they tell you it’s a “network” job. It’s not an actual news network. And the company is so far in debt, it’s only a matter of time for them to completely fold. Stay in local news. Even the worst issues of local news stations are no match for the craziness of RFD-TV.”
News Director: Marybeth Jacoby
Experience described as: “Minimal”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational
Additional comments:
“Overall, this station helped shape me into the reporter I am today and prepared me for my next job. There’s a lot of talent and you just have to find the right mentors to help guide you. However, management is very disorganized and does not always have a solution-based mindset. Instead they would rather focus on the negative, which can hinder your progress. While a negative, this did force me to become more independent in my work.”
News Director: Chad Mahoney
Experience described as: “TOXIC, CONTROLLED, BACKSTABBING, LIAR”
While working for WGEM this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The environment is so toxic at WGEM and the news director is so controlling that after seeing real reviews from former employees, the news director posted a fake review on this website hyping himself up. Like..seriously?”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Just a horrible news director. Do all you can to stay away from this place you will regret it.”
News Director: Callie Starnes
“Callie runs the news department as a democracy. She is fair and willing to listen to the concerns of others. You won’t find a better News Director in the market.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“I have been at WRCB for five years and some of my best memories were made at the station. I started my role there as the 5:00 pm producer and, at the time, Callie Starnes was the Assistant News Director. She taught me a lot about gathering stories, news judgement, multitasking, and how to come up with solutions when stories fell through. She soon moved to the News Director role and I shifted to Senior Producer. I have stayed at the station for this long because of the management and the way we cover stories. We always take the compassionate route and Callie listens to everyone’s opinion before making a firm decision. I grew into roles that I never thought I could do because of Callie. If you are ever lucky enough to work here, take the opportunity. You will make life-long friends and Callie will make sure you grow as a person on your way to the top.”
News Director: Chad Mahoney
“This place has and will continue to be a toxic work environment. Chad Mahoney is a miserable person who brings negativity into the workplace which then spills onto his employees.”
While working for WGEM this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I’m not one to speak out about these things, but the more I think about it, the more I realize people should know what they’re getting themselves into. Plus, I feel like I’ve been silenced long enough. Under Chad Mahoney’s leadership, there is pressure to NOT speak up. There is intimidation and bullying involved with those who do. Mahoney will make you feel like he’s on your team, but the second you have a concern about how something is handled, he will turn on you and use that for leverage against you. He pits employees against each other and encourages them to “tattle-tale” on one another instead of working it out themselves. He also encourages employees to not socialize with each other outside of work. How is that supposed to build a good team? Especially when a lot of the reporters move to this town without knowing anyone. There’s also a good ol boy mentality where males talk about women in derogatory terms, sometimes in front of the female employees, and females feel like they can’t come forward to express their concerns. Even the general manager has been heard saying “If you don’t like it here, then get the hell out.” Talk about a welcoming, educational and fun experience.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Chad Mahoney and is managerial team stifle creativity. This is touted as a place where new journalists can come to grow, except that’s the farthest thing from the truth. Mahoney likes things done his way. If it’s not done that way, he will make sure HIS reporters fall in line. People are treated like property, instead of real people who have real lives and who have real feelings. I would strongly discourage working at this station. It sucks the life out of you. The turnover rate and other negative reviews prove that.”
News Director: Chad Mahoney
“This place has and will continue to be a toxic work environment. Chad Mahoney is a miserable person who brings negativity into the workplace which then spills onto his employees.”
While working for WGEM this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The negative comments made about women, to women, are often overlooked or laughed off. It is a “good ole boys” society with NO females in leadership positions…wonder why? You are encouraged to “tattle tale” on employees instead of work it out like adults which then turns into unorganized, stressful, mess.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Creative control is suppressed. It’s a mentality of – this is how it’s always done so do it that way. This station is mostly comprised of new reporters/producers. It’s toted as a place to learn and grow your craft but it’s at the expense of a young persons sanity. They like to hire young females who they can intimidate and harass until they “fall in line.” Even the general manager has the attitude of…if you don’t like it, then get the hell out. Which he has verbatim on multiple occasions. The leadership is toxic. This could be a great station but leadership doesn’t see themselves as the problem. They see the employees as a problem -which is why they have such a high turnover rate with employees. Sad, pathetic, and draining place. Don’t work here – they’ll suck the life out you.”
News Director: Chad Mahoney
Experience described as: “Good. He is a no non-sense News Director”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational
Additional comments:
“Higher standards compared to other small markets, where there is no feedback or direction, you get a photog for live shots, not much creative control but you’ll adjust. Management is actively involved & will call out mistakes and what you can do better. That rubs some of the other reporters the wrong way, who are used to doing whatever they want. There is a small clique among the reporters and former on air people, who keep a group chat and gossip about team members & news director. If you get a job there focus on your work, not making friends with your coworkers.”
News Director: Brian Gregory
“Stay far, far, far away. This is a toxic, cancerous environment. The news director is an out of control dictator who should not be in the business, muchless at a top-20 station. Adversarial, has driven off very good talent to bring in his favorite pets from Kansas. Do. Not. Go. Here.”
While working for KDVR this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Again, stay way. Horrible place.”
News Director: Jenna Huff
Experience described as: “Confusing, frustrating, depressing”
While working for WGXA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“As a news director, Jenna is very competitive and wants the station as a whole to do well. That’s where the positivity stops. She made false promises to me and I was only able to do maybe 20% was I was promised. She makes false promises to all new hires and will regularly backstab reporters. There is absolutely awful communication between management and newsroom staff. I really warn anybody considering working here. I saw a bunch of bright new hires come in during my time and they were thrown the bs right away. Take your talents where they’ll be appreciated. Reporters have to “earn” a photog by Jenna’s made up criteria that is ever changing. You’ll never realistically get a photog but maybe twice during your contract.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This was the most confusing internship experience of my life and I would not recommend working here unless it’s the only place you can get an internship. Sinclair has so many rules on what interns can and cannot do and the News Director would allow you to do things only when it was convenient to her. You eventually have to go behind management’s back to get stuff done only to be told you can, in fact, do that, only to be told to stop doing it because “it’s against the rules”. You will never have your work on air and if you write for web, your name is not allowed to be on the byline.”
News Director: Kevin Brennan
“Doesn’t know how to lead a newsroom”
While working for WSAV this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“We are the only station in the market that doesn’t make reporters go live every day or respond to breaking news. The assignment editor is so unorganized to the point we miss a lot of stories in our market.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Most of the stories we cover should be on Facebook. A lot of the content is not real news”
News Director: Jon Levy
“I loved working with Jon. He was very kind and understanding and allowed me to experiment with different ideas. I have a lot of respect for him.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“Every station has its problems. You’re working in a high stress environment that has strict deadlines and requires impeccable attention to detail. While I did feel overwhelmed sometimes, I really treasure all that I learned at TV20. I worked with amazing people who are still my good friends today. I was able to creatively do what I wanted and achieve things I wouldn’t have been able to at a bigger station. I’m eternally grateful to the station and everyone there. Much love.”
While working for WPMT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“There should be a place for ratings for the entire station, not just the News department. The entire station has problems with bullying & back stabbing. If you come to the station with experience the “lifers” at the station will try to cut you down like they are the only ones who know everything. They don’t want you to succeed and they are jealous of you if you are not part of their inner circle. Training is a joke and if you don’t catch on in what THEY think is enough time then that “brilliant” General Manager will begin to harass you so you don’t succeed & then if you don’t leave on your own you will be out the door. It’s obvious from the start that management plays favorites so if you have any type of integrity & sense of self worth STAY AWAY from this loser station because they will cut you down & try to break your spirit. I regret the day I took the job 100% but I survived & am so happy to be out of that horrible environment.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Management needs a total overhaul for any type of improvement to happen but good managers will run away rather than deal with that unprofessional, playground type of environment.”
News Director: Ryan Hazelwood
“Overwhelmingly positive. Supportive. Open to ideas. Willing to give you any resources you need.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Great place to work. Great people. Talented staff on all levels. Everyone supports each other and has everyone’s back. Management is easy to approach and understands what employees go through each day. Highly recommend applying here if a job is available.”
News Director: Chad Mahoney
Experience described as: “Toxic. The worst.”
While working for WGEM this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Chad Mahoney is such a bad leader that not only does he create an environment that thrives on co-workers turning on one another he also constantly trashes and bashes the city and area that he lives in, has chosen to work in and has chosen to lead a newsroom in. He has said direct quotes like “downtown Quincy is a dump. There is nothing worth more than $700/month.” The constant negativity and B.S. from him is what is driving 99% of his employees away and out of the news industry all together.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Chad Mahoney
“THE WORST NEWS DIRECTOR/HUMAN BEING IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD. MANIPULATIVE, LYING, CONNIVING AND JUST AN OVERALL HORRIBLE PERSON. HE DOES NOT TRUST ANY EMPLOYEES AND TRIES TO CONTROL EVERYBODY 24/7. CALLS HIMSELF A FAMILY MAN BUT SITS AT HOME ALL NIGHT LONG WAITING TO CATCH MISTKAES AND THINGS THE NEWSROOM MIGHT MISS.”
While working for WGEM this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“GOOD OLD BOY ATOMOSPHERE. SEXUAL JOKES. MALES GET MORE ADVANCEMENT. THE MOST TOXIC WORK ENVIRONEMENT ANY OF MY COWOKERS HAVE WORKED IN. TURNOVER IS AT AN ALLTIME HIGH BECAUSE OF CHAD MAHONEY.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“DO NOT WORK HERE. TURNOVER IS HIGH FOR A REASON.”
News Director: Debi Highland
“Management has no idea how to run a newsroom.”
While working for WNKY this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The newsroom is constantly short staffed. Management has no clue how news actually works. The GM is a sales lady & will convince you it’s wonderful, beware ITS NOT! You can have a doctors note and they will still ask you to come in. You may have vacation days, but good luck getting it approved. Many times you are stuck driving your personal vehicle. “Volunteer“ events are mandatory & happen every weekend. You will not have a photog. You will be asked to do a minimum of a pkg & 2 vosots per day. You shoot, edit, write, front the pkg, and post all content to the web yourself. Management is very unprofessional & talks poorly about their staff to other staff members. DO NOT SIGN A CONTRACT HERE. You will be overworked & underpaid. This is where news dreams go to die. They fire staff constantly, it’s a rotating door. Please do yourself a favor & avoid this place.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“DO NOT WORK HERE.”
News Director: Kent Harrell
“He has favorites but tries to care about everyone.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“GM has a lot of control over creative services. New creative services boss is also control freak.”
News Director: Chad Hypes
Experience described as: “Shady”
While working for KTVL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Do not work here. The station is a total scam, full of internal politics and butt kissing, fake people. The great people either got fed up and left or were let go. Completely dysfunctional from the top to the bottom, the station does not care about developing you or your reel and only cares about its own best interests. Chad means well but continues to fail his employees. Nice guy, horrible boss. Can be rude at times but truth be told he’s probably fed up too with the station.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“It could have had potential but never will deliver its promises to its employees given how the station is operated. Do not work here. Do not waste your time. Turnover is unbelievably high and you will see why. You’ve been warned!”
News Director: Jenelle Shriner
“Easily the most worthless news director. She isn’t a leader and picks favorites who kiss ass. She doesn’t take responsibility for any of her mistakes and will blame it on her employees because this is a starter market and they won’t stand up for themselves. Allows well known anchors to bully the newer/less experienced employees. I’ve seen several of my former coworkers, myself included, have mental breakdowns over the stress this station put us through. She jumped ship as soon as she could to go ruin another station.”
While working for KPLC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“There is no true leadership in this newsroom. No constructive criticism, only critiques meant to break you down. Since this is the only tv news station in the market, there is no motivation when it comes to storytelling. The next market over usually beat us on breaking news in our own area. Management never cared. Unless you were a favorite, this place quickly wore you down.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Eric Walters
“Terrible. Weakest, fakest manager I have ever had—a bully and blowhard with a fragile ego and an inability to manage various personalities in a newsroom.”
While working for WBTW this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Eric Walters is one of the “good Ol’ boys.” He treats women as objects, despises younger guys because he sees them as “threats,” and was a total nightmare to work for.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The review from June 23rd is an obvious paid shill, and I think it’s pretty pathetic that the current GM has to pay people to try to cover for the fact that he runs a toxic station full of gossip, sneering managers who can’t deal with “difficult” personalities, and who do not play fair—what is OK for the favorites is not OK for everyone else. There is also a senior producer there who is notorious for causing trouble, tattling on people for using the restroom like this is some kind of grade school class, and pushing people to their breaking points while trying to play victim when they stand up for themselves. Standing up for yourself here is Frowned up and will get you labeled “difficult” in a hurry. They’ll make sure to stack the deck against you so that you will either fail or quit. I really feel sorry for anyone else who has to work under Eric Walters (and I understand he left the station months ago). I Would not wish this place on my worst enemy.”
News Director: Warren Stewart
“Awful. We were warned before he arrived and it was much worse than we could have expected. Let’s just say, one year after he jumped on board, 20+ people have been fired, pushed out or simply walked because it’s so horrible.”
While working for WEVV this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The managers spend all of their time focusing on gossip, rumors, name calling, etc and not the real issues. Five years after launching, the station is circling the drain and it’s entirely the fault of Warren Stewart and Eric Stremming (station manager… what a joke)
If I didn’t have ovaries, I may have stood a chance to be heard.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“My coworkers were great. Management let a really good thing fall a part because they are too proud to admit they don’t know everything.”
News Director: Brad Myers
Experience described as: “Fun”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“WECT is the land of opportunity. You’ll get to try new things, and you’ll go as far as your own ambition will take you.
I’ve moved up through the ranks in record time — starting my career in the industry a morning producer and flying the main flagship newscasts three years later.
Things are a bit hard on everyone because of recent staff reduction, but the managers do a great job at boosting morale. The news director is really cool and encouraging. You can feel comfortable to go to him with anything, and he always recognizes good work.
If you’re a toxic person who isn’t a team player, then you’re not going to have a good experience. But if you like to have fun, be yourself, and be creative with great people who will become your second family, then WECT is the place for you.”
News Director: Gail Bending
Experience described as: “Confusing”
While working for WJZ this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The news director is easy to approach and very nice, but I think she is out of the loop on how negative the environment is. She encourages new ideas but no one really efforts any because creativity gets shut down and the common argument from management is “this is how we’ve always done it.””
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This station has a good reputation, but working under the management team is terribly toxic. This place will suck the creativity out of your soul and drain any passion you had for journalism. There is no communication. You are constantly told everything that is wrong and never given any direction on what is right. I have been in news for 6 years and have never experienced a more negative environment. The micromanaging will mentally destroy you. You produce to please management, not to deliver information to an audience. Things are done because it’s “the way we’ve always done it.” You are encouraged to run stories that have aired multiple times instead of efforting new content. I have often heard management openly berate other employees and complain about reporters behind their backs. The only time I heard the assistant news director say “good show” was after the newscast was preempted due to a special report from network. Sarcastic prick. Management makes it obvious who their favorites are, and while I certainly respect seniority, I respect hard work and compassion more. If you choose to work here, I hope you understand the disaster you’re embarking on. I would suggest setting your expectations ridiculously low, using the station for its reputation as a gold stamp on your resume, and know that there are better opportunities out there where you will be valued more. The only positives to this station are the employee benefits – you get 3 weeks vacation time, 8 days of sick time, 10 paid holidays/comp days, and 3 personal days.”
News Director: Matt Stein
Experience described as: “Best first reporting job I could’ve asked for”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“They work hard to help you grow as a journalist, and I truly believe I wouldn’t be where I am today without them. They are very good about providing guidance, advice, and constructive criticism. They always encouraged me and made me feel appreciated.”
News Director: Greg Shieferstein
Experience described as: “Atrocious. Lacks any kind of understanding”
While working for KRNV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Moronic, jerk, and plain and simply undeserving of the position of News Director. He pretends to know what he is doing and it becomes painfully clear that he has no business in this business. His sexual harassment complaints are between 5 and 10 and he still works there while others were let go for much less. I have watched him stare at women as they are walking away.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Greg turned a thriving newsroom into a highly toxic environment. The 6am morning show tanked within 6 months of him taking over. He is a complete and utter disaster. He is protected by the good ol boy system and nothing will happen to him no matter how many claims are made against him. While he is there, avoid this station at all costs. People are leaving in droves and are not being replaced quickly.”
News Director: Greg Scheiferstein
Experience described as: “Fine. He delegates a lot. But overall he seems to be a good guy.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational
Additional comments:
“There has been a lot of change here. People sometimes don’t like being asked to do what many of us have done in other markets or even in college for a long time. So, some people are unhappy. But, we have it easier here than people in other markets. It’s a good city. Good station. I’ve worked in worse places.”
News Director: Mike Truett
Experience described as: “Absolutely Aweful”
While working for WICS this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The station is toxic unlike any other station I’ve worked for. Years ago it was a great starter market but once Mike came in it crashed and burned. Sinclair is a GOP funded company pushing their agenda in every story, Mike is a puppet yes man, he made several gross and sexual comments about female employees and once referred to a new anchor hire as “desk candy.” As well as saying no one cared what she wore because “who would want her to cover up.”
Mike yelled at reporters till they cried, barely lets Photogs and Reporters work together, demanded extra hours while discouraging overtime.
One coworker was harassed for being a single mom and he couldn’t have cared less about it, even when the employee left for her own safety, he would tarnish her reputation for being a “quitter.””
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This used to be a great starting station, but Mike and Sinclair have buried it. Lots of great hardworking people are there, who are decent and just want to do a good job. But corporate overreach and micromanaging are killing it.
AVOID THIS PLACE until Mike and Sinclair leave”
News Director: Brian Gregory
“Brian is aggressive and treats employees like trash”
While working for KDVR this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management is not willing to listen to feedback and makes questionable editorial decisions. The news director openly yells at employees in the newsroom or over phone/email when things aren’t done the way he thinks they should be done.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“There’s some great journalists in this building but it’s the news director’s way or the highway. If you don’t suck up to him, you get treated like trash. It’s a true shame.”
News Director: Barb Roethler
Experience described as: “Beyond unprofessional”
While working for WILX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“A wonderful place to toughen ones skin. The overall toxic environment overseen by the News Director is nothing short of despicable. I cannot imagine any other station exists where passive aggressive emails, unrealistic expectations with little time to execute, non existent communication etc. Are allowed to happen for as long as it has with this current news director. Management at the top is quite oblivious or blind to the high turnover and lack of drive this station produces. Not to mention the blatant disregard for reporters time. Especially god forbid if they have to use overtime to achieve the things set out for them. Do not work for WILX. If you have any other offer. Take it!”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The best advice I can give is this. If you would like to work at WILX there is only one thing to check. Is Barb Roethler the news director. If yes, do not take it.”
News Director: Dave Kaplar
Experience described as: “Positive”
While working for WOWT this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment
“Some underhand comment that only came from one person. When that person was addressed the Apologized and fixed the behavior.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“If you want to go far and get attention and help from management you need to show you’re worthy of the help. Workers that don’t care don’t get the extra help that people who go the extra mile get.
Communication could be better but it’s not detrimental to my daily job.”
News Director: Rich Kurz
Experience described as: “clueless and regressive. Will yell at you over a problem without offering any form of a solution”
While working for KOIN this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“harassed one of our reporters enough for her to be able to get a full out of her brand new contract. Treats women as less than men.(probably subconsciously)”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“stay away. apply as a last resort. WILL BE THE FIRST PORTLAND STATION TO FOLD Guaranteed*”
News Director: Stephen Crews
“He’s a local guy with several decades if experience who generally cares about the product.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“The old news director was problematic, but now things are significantly better. You’ll have some frustrating days, but overall the station is a chance to develop as a journalist with a lot of creative liberty. The expectation is a package and a separate vosot everyday, so you have to be comfortable running around quite a bit. The community is great and loves this #1 station. Upon leaving, I’m glad I got my start here.”
News Director: Mark Kraham
While working for WDVM this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Mark Kraham is a tone deaf and racist news director. He’s extremely hard on African American reporters compared to other races. He’s burnt out and needs to retire. He doesn’t care about the quality of the stories, but the quota.
Since NBC pulled its affiliation some years ago, the station is pressed fill all of his newscasts with content. When reporters fail to meet the mandatory three stories a day, he writes them up. He loves to yell, slam doors and kick his office trash containers. The reporters are literally worked into the ground every single day.
The station is so toxic that an entry-level journalist can easily lose their passion for television news. The assignment editor is unprofessional and loves to yell and shout expletives. The news director and assignment editor are both bullies. Their lack of professionalism is why they have both been stuck at the same small station for more than 20 years.
The morning and evening news meetings were brutal, stressful and unprofessional.
WARNING:
Find another starter market, please go elsewhere. You have been warned.”
News Director: Jerry Giesler
Experience described as: “Not productive, ND is an instigator”
While working for WJFW this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The management system here very clearly has one agenda: to get good ratings. If they get that, they have very little concern for employee well-being and personal success. The News Director has very little leadership/management and employees have to constantly doubt what he says to them in close-doored meetings because he will go back on his word many times.
If you want ‘creative freedom’, that is very easy to access because, again, the ND takes no initiative. But that being said, it will be frustrating because you will feel like you’re not growing or learning with the lack of constructive criticism, accountability for producing a good product and resources to match the skillsets that prepare you for job #2.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Being #3 in the market, this station certainly has less resources and staff than the other stations in this market. It’s very easy to feel frustrated, especially since the station is an hour away from the other two stations. The hiring process is very slow here too, so the newsroom constantly feels understaffed and inefficient.
If you do come here, you’ll have cheap living expenses and friendly people in the community. Be prepared to find mentors on your own time and challenge yourself, because relying on any form of management in the building for help won’t get you anywhere.”
News Director: Dan Delgado
“Delgado rules with an iron fist and does not like to be questioned. He rarely works a full week and is known for forcing people to work overtime without paying them for it and is constantly yelling at the newsroom. HR does little to mitigate the harassment from upper management and often turns a blind eye to what’s really going on. Much like a car salesman, Delgado presents himself as a mentor and someone who truly cares about you, but in reality he could care less about any of his coworkers. Sioux City is a great starter market, but KCAU no longer allows for new hires to get anchoring opportunities the other stations offer.”
While working for KCAU this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
While working for WHBF this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“When I was there, the News Director at the time (Heather Voudrie) was not a great leader. She would talk down to her employees and yell at them at times. She had horrible news judgement. Never knew her mood. Never worked to make anyone better. There was a corporate HR complaint by multiple employees and nothing was done. GM at the time didn’t seem to care about news. Anchors were great, and willing to help make the younger journalists better.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I’ve heard they’ve invested money and made improvements. Management has also changed.”
News Director: Ryan Webb
“Ryan is honest, approachable and truly wants to see his employees grow”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Choosing to work for WBTW was the best decision I could’ve made for my young career as a reporter. It’s important to note most of these reviews are from people who worked/work in the bureau (Florence) and the majority never finished their full two year contract OR literally just arrived at the station. Your first six months as an MMJ will be difficult no matter where you go. It’s an adjustment. I think it’s unfair to judge a station based off your first few months/first year. Also, you need to be tough and extremely disciplined to work in a bureau in any market. No station is perfect, and WBTW is no exception, but this station is #1 in the market for a reason. Ryan, the new ND just arrived a few months ago and is already making great changes and giving much more feedback than the previous ND. Steve, the EP is fantastic at giving feedback and will take the time to sit down with you and explain what you could’ve done better/what you did well. It’s rare to find that in a smaller market IMO. Some people are sensitive to constructive feedback, but that is the only way you will grow. And trust me, you will GROW at WBTW. I can say confidently almost everyone at the station is willing to listen to new ideas and concepts, as long as you’ve earned their respect. If you’re a hard worker and truly love reporting through the good and the bad, you will excel at WBTW and your hard work will pay off. Also, a couple corrections to the previous reviewer- Steve previously worked in Charlotte and Ryan just came from Nashville, so maybe the most recent reviewer was unaware when they stated that this is most people’s first market. A lot of people at WBTW have experience you can learn from. In addition, there are TWO photogs based in Myrtle Beach and one based in Florence. You will often be paired with a photog for live shots, but occasionally will have to run live shots yourself. There have been plenty of times I’ve told the assignment manager, Matt that I didn’t feel comfortable going live alone and he’s let me shoot look lives. Of course, this station has had it’s bad days, but PLEASE don’t let these negative reviews ruin this for you. I promise if you work hard and have a positive attitude you’ll be happy at WBTW.”
News Director: Susan Farley
“She favors men and does not know how news operations work. Since it is a small market, it is the blind leading the blind”
While working for WVII/WFVX this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Sexual harassment in the workplace is ignored. Management doesn’t know what a real newscast is supposed to look like. Farley does not know how to do most of the things that she expects of her employees. Men are clearly treated more fairly. I have been told my suggestions are invalid due to my age and because asking questions “undermines authority.” Expect to be stretched thin and receive no feedback. This place has killed all of my passion for journalism.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Don’t work here unless you hate yourself.”
News Director: Bridget Foster
“It was horrible. She is not involved with reporters whatsoever. She’s also very new to being a news director and it shows every day.”
While working for Spectrum this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I’m still wondering who the boss is and I worked here for two years. It’s a hot mess express and everyone knows it.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“For anyone considering Spectrum News in Raleigh, don’t! It’s the station that needs Jesus, Mary, AND Joseph! They hire incompetent people, the decision-making is horrible. The management is tragic. No one ever communicates with each other yet they sit next to each other in the same room. There’s also a lack of reporters. They can never stay fully staffed and it’s because reporters are over worked and under paid and are miserable. I hated my job 30 days after I started and was counting down every day until my contract ended. I’ve never experienced this amount of unorganization, confusion, and poor effort from a station ever. They truly need to fire every person in management, get SKILLED employees and just restart. This station has made me and several others get out of the business.”
News Director: Jerry Howard
Experience described as: “He is a manipulator.”
While working for KDRV this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“For a majority of my time at KDRV, I worked under Ashley Hall. She was horrible and created the most toxic work environment for everyone. When Jerry started, everyone was hopeful things would change. However, they did not! He pretty much was gaslighting the entire staff when he first started. He promised all these changes and did not follow through with any of them. The station has been understaffed by 10+ people for more than a year now. You could plan a vacation MONTHS in advance and at the last minute, Jerry will deny it and force you to cancel it. Him and Mark do not value their team and constantly put their employees in unsafe situations. When an employee comes to them with how unsafe they feel, they do not care and claim “that is a part of the job”. When an employee comes to them with genuine concern for their own mental health that has deteriorated because of the job itself, they don’t care. Every MMJ is forced to cover multiple stories by themselves daily, which is fine at any other station that actually values you and gives you time for a lunch break. Imagine covering two separate stories early in the morning and then being sent to a wildfire and working a 15 hour day with NO lunch break… then management yells at you for going into overtime and REFUSES TO PAY YOU for that overtime, even though they are the ones that made you go into overtime by overworking you. THAT is what a day in the life is like at KDRV. You are underpaid, overworked, put into unsafe situations and nobody values you.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I feel bad for everyone still working at KDRV. Every single person is burnt out and unhappy. They are all looking for ways to get out of their contracts, but do not have the money to break their contract because KDRV does not pay their employees hardly anything. Most importantly, a LOT of people have completely left the industry as a direct result of what KDRV put them through. Even as a last resort, do not work here.”
News Director: Allison Gibson
Experience described as: “Not the best. Nice, but not a good leader in the slightest.”
While working for KWWL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“All employees did was rant about horrible the managers were… rightfully so. Almost always, reporters had to MMJ their stories as the station refuses to hire more photographers. Reporters sometimes had to go live in dangerous areas BY THEMSELVES, which is unacceptable. Producers are treated like dirt and sometimes have to produce more than one show in a day like it’s normal.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“You should never pick a place to work and count down the days until your contract is up… I felt like I was in a legal prison working there, dying to get out as soon as I could. Their old news director, Shane Moreland, was HORRIBLE to his staff and went out of his way to make people feel like crap. When Shane left, people were thrilled to get a new news director. Personally, I liked Allison, but that’s because I value the treatment of employees more than anything else, including growth. Was she a good leader? …that’s a no from me. It was sad when a few months in, people realized they’d actually prefer Shane over her, because of how terrible of a leader and decision-maker she was. She’d harp on minor details on a story/newscast without looking at the big picture a good majority of the time. Employees had to do more (write more stories/produce more newscasts) because Allison could hardly hire anyone. She has NO charisma to get a candidate excited to say YES to accepting a position and a 3-year contract. They’d come in for their interview and walk out thinking “no thanks,” prolonging the added work current employees would have to pick up. If you’re a reporter looking for a job out of college, I get why this station sounds enticing as a top 100 market, but you really should consider elsewhere, including KCRG, their main competitor. This is not the best market to grow and get feedback… you’re basically left to fend for yourself.
Also, the parent company (Quincy) SUCKS, so avoid working at any of their stations. Their IT team is paranoid about possible viruses and blocks dozens of essential websites that make your job 10x harder (like Dropbox and Gmail… yes, GMAIL!). So enjoy trying to get your work done with ease. Also, enjoy their high deductible medical insurance that won’t cover prescriptions that most other companies would. Avoid KWWL and Quincy like the plague.”
News Director: Mike Truett
“Everyone likes Mike, he’s a good boss and meets with everyone regularly to personally and professionally check in. Lots of good advice.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Great market to start in. Every reporter leaving her after two years goes to high markets.”
News Director: Janice Gin
Experience described as: “Terrible”
While working for KITV this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This station is run by bullies. The news director at the time Mike Darrah created a toxic work environment by encouraging people to tattle on one another for everything, and created an environment of distrust. This man had no clue how to be a good leader. There was rampant complaining, gossiping, bullying, cruelty, and bad mouthing – and the news director encouraged it because he called it “getting to the bottom of things.” The bullies there ran the place and intimidated everyone, and got away with it because they grew up in Hawaii which made them “superior” to others. They created an atmosphere filled with fear and negativity, and it can’t be emphasized enough how much tattle telling was encouraged regarding the smallest of incidents. Inappropriate language and conduct and sexual harassment were overlooked. The group of girls who worked there were the meanest of the meanest and loved to tear the newer girls down, until they recruited them to also behave like mean girls in order to fit in and continue the cycle of negativity. Again this was encouraged by the news director because he loved having his little spies out there tattling on other employees, often making stuff up and exaggerating things in the process. His spies would scour people’s social media to find things to “report” about employees. It was absolutely disgusting.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
News Director: Jim Platzer
“Hands off, maybe a bit too hands off. He’s not as bad as people will tell you who don’t know what the job all entails, but has his quirks that rubs people the wrong way.”
While working for WJAC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“It’s your typical small market station, no one wants to stay there and group speak makes everyone aware of their hatred and piles on. It’s Sinclair but they avoid the worst of the Sinclair style. They run the must runs but the local news isn’t influenced by any of it (most viewers think WJAC is liberal). If it had a spark of positivity, there would be lot of pluses.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Again, it’s your typical small station. Young group that has fun but hates being in a small town and think they’re the next big thing. Veterans who range from mentors to has been/never was. Station has long track record of putting good people (and even those only good because they look good) into major league markets. If you’re a go getter, you’ll make the best of it. If you like the big things in life, well…maybe find a new career!”
News Director: Barb Roethler
“Everything is done thru email. its so strange and passive aggressive.”
While working for WILX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Most of the reviews below are accurate. Barb does have good enough news judgement and doesnt get in the way on stories. But good lord, she’s a mean person deep down. The turnover at WILX the last 8 months or so was INSANE even by tv standards. An anchor and met let go just because Barb felt like it. A revolving door in the digital department and reporters. People have families but she doesn’t care. She’ll kick you to the curb. As mentioned in the review below, get anything you can in writing. You won’t do what you were told you were hired for. And you’ll be grossly underpaid and chasing stories LSJ and WLNS already did. Photogs did most live shots and they seemed to like their boss. You’ll have room to grow, but its sink or swim. Guidance and feedback is minimal at best for a sub100 market.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“You can do better.”
News Director: Frank Volpicella
“I haven’t met Frank because I am on mornings but in talking with him it’s been positive. Others say he’s a little overbearing, tells people things they already know and has strange news judgment. I am hoping he will eventually make the newsroom better.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“KOKI overall has been a wonderful place for me to work. I am very happy. My last shop was horrible, under staffed, no resources and mean people. I left the industry all together and KOKI bought me back. FOX 23 doesn’t have drama. If someone doesn’t like somebody they leave it at the door. Now there are always negative parts to a newsroom, and the small but growing nags at the station are keeping them from ever being completely first. KOTV, is very strong but we’ve chipped at the lead they have. They beat us on slightly more staff and longer tenured talent.
I was going to hold off on my review but I saw a review that was slightly inaccurate and wanted to share my own experience as a producer and a little bit about the reporter experience too.
It is very true that reporters work hard at FOX 23, sometimes too hard. Dayside, Nightside and Weekend Evening reporters, (with exceptions) have to turn two separate PKG”s within the late 90 (9pm to 10:30pm) or Early 90 (5pm to 6:30pm) on weekdays. Weekends two different PKG’s at 5 and 9 or Saturday or at 5 and 9 or 10 on Sundays. Most reporters have to do some MMJ work, most are trained on it. If you need a photog, management is good about getting you one, if you work mornings you’ll get one almost always. Reporters are also allowed to do live shots at safe locations as well.
I saw this quote in a review of FOX 23, “That trickles down to producers who carry that same attitude when talking to reporters and photographers. They’re only worried about live shots and content. Your safety or you being comfortable is an after thought.”
I wanted to call out that quote. That isn’t completely true. Mornings and Weekends, we really care about reporters and photogs, we want them to be safe and comfortable. Same for the weekday noon and 10pm Producers too. The 5pm, 6pm and 9pm weekday producers are that way though, they are cold, strange and only care about themselves. They’ve never been a problem for me, but the rare times I see them, they ignore me. Some producers have only worked at FOX 23 so they don’t know how bad other places can be. We did pick up staff from the competition that calls FOX 23 the best newsroom in Tulsa to work for.
We do love crime at FOX 23, and it’s a little grating, but we also have a fluff problem. Sometimes too much of either. We skip stories that are more important sometimes and it frustrates me.
Photogs at FOX 23 are so kind, they do their job and are very positive. Reporters vary, I’m close with one who likes the station, some as you see in other reviews are jaded. We don’t hire a ton of experience anymore but it’s a problem at ALL Tulsa stations. Some of the newer people fly and others aren’t ready but survive. Morning reporters do nine live hits of the same story (unless sent to breaking news) each day and turn a different story for noon. Weekend Morning reporter does less hits but turns a PKG for later on.
Clay Loney (main anchor) (been there since 2004, we launched in 2002) is so kind, helpful, funny and knows the market, I never get to work with him but see him and talk.
Shae Rozzi (main anchor), (been there since 2013) a sweetheart, she cares about the station. Very positive and a delight to be around.
Both Clay and Shae write scripts as needed and they really care about the product.
Lynn (Weekend Evenings) also sweet. Tiffany (noon anchor), loud and crazy with a heart of gold. Naomi (weekend morning anchor) cool and calm.
As for the morning anchors; Ron Terrell is a market veteran and a nice guy. Great sense of humor, but doesn’t write scripts, and checks his scripts way too late into the show. Sometimes causes confusion.
Ah, Michelle Linn, she’s something. She really cares about the newscast each day and has a lot of experience. But she’s exhausting. Wants what she wants added in as soon as she says it. Lots of fluffy pet projects and enjoys making herself the story. Can be mean to reporters and producers if she doesn’t like something. I’m used to her at this point but not the biggest fan. On the bright side she will do rewrites if needed and they are strong. Great writer she is.
I’ll get to the biggest problem in a second but I really like Tulsa. It’s one of the best underrated news markets in the country. Tons of news here, pretty city and good weather. Great market to cover weather stories after storms.
Now as for turnover, we did have a couple of layoffs from COX after Coronavirus hit but we are staffed pretty well except for mornings. Five hours and we go down to one producer and EP only sometimes. We do a wheel format in the mornings and update when needed. Monday, and Tuesday, 2 producers, and AP and EP. Wednesday, and Thursday, 3 Producers and AP and EP. Fri 3 Producers and an EP. When fully staffed we are fine but we struggle on days without someone and it is tiring. As for the rest, we have a noon producer, a 5pm producer, 6pm producer, 9pm producer and 10pm producer. Two AP’s and four producers who fill-in. One of them is attached to mornings three days a week (and weekend mornings), other three do weekend evenings.
The sports team is kind, I came to FOX 23 on the advice of one them who had gone through a similar experience to mine.
Weather team is great, James, Michael, Laura and Mike are all delights and so kind.
Some have said that FOX 23 has bad turnover, and we do have some, but every station in Tulsa does, few people make their career here. Ours isn’t particularly worse than others. Other stations in Tulsa have it far worse than we do.
COX (even after the sale to Apollo) is one of the better companies. Better benefits than a lot of shops, especially compared to Sinclair. Lots of editorial freedom to cover what we want.
Now for the part that will keep us at second place, the managers. Frank is still so new and gets so many ideas from Magid (which COX loves), some are decent. He has the experience, just has a hard time getting them in place. Some ideas are confusing. Tina the old ND was very hands off and Frank is the complete opposite.
Greg is Managing Editor (in normal terms Assistant ND), he has been nice to me but not everybody is a fan. Lots of experience and still makes a lot of decisions in house.
Leslie (nightside EP) hired me and gave me a shot and I am always going to be grateful. Not always the best news judgment and makes us confused often. She means well.
Marti (morning EP), she is very kind and supportive, she is willing to listen. She is underprepared for her role sometimes. She can be late and missing when we need her. She gives good feedback but gets carried away over the smallest things and is afraid of Michelle. Changes scripts but forgets to tell anchors.
Communication is a struggle at FOX 23. Some don’t communicate at all, some too much and with others missing information. There has been confusion over who is anchoring on a day or who is reporting at times.
I feel I am a tiny bit underpaid for the market size but I came to the station for a decent pay bump.
Overall I am very happy at FOX 23, I know others aren’t but some have never worked anywhere else or in a toxic newsroom like I have. KOKI has toxic people and parts to it. But most people are kind and helpful and want you to do well.
This overall is a good station that is hopefully on the way to even better. Not an overly toxic newsroom by any means, just be careful around some.
I recommend coming to FOX 23 to start or continue your career.”
While working for WECT this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“You’ll be prevented from advancing your career because of your age and gender. You’ll also be talked down to in front of everyone for the same reasons, but management will deny they do it. The newsroom is negative and everyone complains all of the time.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you don’t like having to constantly stand up for yourself and your work you won’t survive working here. But if mediocre surface stories are your thing you’ll be fine. All of the good reporters left at once and several poor hiring choices have been made since then. You’ll also never be thanked, appreciated or recognized for your work and/or effort. If you win an award the station will take all of the credit.”
News Director: Barb Roethler
Experience described as: “Horrible. Unpleasant. Moody. Unprofessional. Conniving. Just a bad/miserable human being.”
While working for WJCL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Barb was the worst person I have ever worked for. She promised many of us young reporters that we’d get our chance to anchor, do some sport reporting, whatever we wanted, etc.. None of that happened, she lies to bring you in, but once you are in, you’ll soon realize it was all lies, it is a shit show. My outfits were scrutinized by her and EP Jeff Proctor, who is the worst human being of ALL-TIME. This guy should not be allowed to work in a news room. He made fellow female colleagues of mine cry because he would yell at them for officials not answering calls, something out of their control. This was something that happened all the time, by the way. He followed me into the room where we got our cameras and threatened to fight me, because we had words over my suit color. I could not believe it. The man definitely has a bipolar disorder. He also took a reporter’s keyboard and slammed it on his desk in front of his face, keys flew everywhere, all because his script was “shit.” Here is the best part, this was in front of Barb’s office. Barb never says a thing about Jeff’s tantrums, so good luck going to her LOL. Oh and don’t give money to that union, they won’t do a thing for you. Also, be prepared to see Barb/Jeff play favorites, they had this one reporter “follow” a dog abuse case for about a month or two, and by follow, she just sat at the station all day, and used left over stock footage each time she pushed a story out, meanwhile all of us were slaving away to turn stuff every day. When I look back, I think of all of the friends I made, BUT I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Again, I would not recommend this place to my worst enemy. This place ruined my whole outlook on Local News, really. All Local News stations are shit, run down, you get paid like crap, but I was hoping that the good would outweigh the bad, but not at WILX. This whole WILX experience was very sad, since I am a Lansing native, and went to MSU, it was just very eye opening.
#FireProctor”
News Director: Barb Roethler
“She’s not qualified for the position. Bases everything off her emotions instead of what’s best for the company”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Greg Schieferstein
“Run as fast and as far as you can. While everyone else in the building is amazing, Greg is the worst person I’ve ever met, let alone worked with. He has had several sexual harassment claims against him, and yet is still there.”
While working for KRNV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you’re a woman, beware. Greg is check you out openly, and make inappropriate comments about the way you look.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“It’s an experience to work there, that’s for sure”
News Director: Frank Jones
“If you are a man, come work here. If you are a female reporter STAY AWAY. He, along with the other managers, respect male opinions and work more than the work of women. He will lie to you, and will give you an inch so he can say he did something for you, but you will be stuck.”
While working for WWBT this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Men can ask for what they want in the newsroom and will be heard. Women are seen as argumentative and demanding.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Jim Campagna
“I have a love/hate relationship with Jim. He can be a little frazzled and doesn’t demand respect from his newsroom–he can be the butt of a lot of jokes. My big issue with him was the way he treats men versus women. He typically views male reporters as “lead story” material, while women are more health/education reporters. But I always felt cared for… he makes a point to stop in on every holiday.”
While working for WSYR this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I felt as a woman I had to work every day to prove I could do harder news. My male colleagues would walk in and immediately be assigned the top story. There is definitely an old school vs. new school feeling at the station that led to some toxicity, but it was also wonderful. The photographers, some anchors, and some managers have been in the newsroom for decades. Some offered a lot of amazing lessons and really looked out for you, while others resented the change in the industry and took it out on you.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Scott Atkinson
“Scott has an incredible news judgement. He is willing to teach and work with each reporter on an individual level.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“If you are just out of college, you want to work here. This station will make you better. The newsroom is filled with news veterans and wonderful teachers. The ND actually cares about your mental health and works to make sure you have a good work/personal balance. I cannot say enough good things about this station.”
News Director: Andy Paras
“He’s not to bad but some of the hires weren’t so good”
While working for WFFT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“It was great to work here at first but they start expecting you to do things that aren’t your job and don’t pay you for the extra work.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“It’s fine for a starter place but I wouldn’t work here for more than a year. It weighs heavily on mental health. There’s a lot that needs worked on like management listening to employees.”
News Director: Mike Tomko
“He was a terrible mentor.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This station is seven miles from corporate Sinclair HQ, and is heavily controlled by those at corporate. It is a testing ground for group-wide projects which can be nice, but there are too many cooks in the kitchen — and no one who will stand up to corporate and voice an objection if something isn’t working and is detrimental to the local product. The News Director is completely spineless and spends most of his time in the GM’s office, where there is very little transparency and an uneasy feeling emanates. When I was there, a certain reporter had a horrible clique and — if she didn’t like you — you were either a) always in the “dog house” and/or b) forced out. Honestly, I left because she made it impossible for me to come to work. Her husband worked at corporate and she is best friends with the corporate head of the news division. I could have stuck it out, but the nail in the coffin was when I was strongly encouraged to give to the corporate PAC. I found that reprehensible.”
News Director: CJ Hoyt
Experience described as: “Not engaged. Doesn’t care about anyone except anchors.”
While working for WXIN this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Talk about a toxic work environment. Management does not value any employees. Morale is at an all time low. All I ever hear are complaints of misery from coworkers.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Low pay, poor health coverage, toxic environment.”
News Director: Jay Quantanince
“He may be a sociopath. HATED photogs and pushed literally every vet out when he came in. Also seemed to believe TV wasn’t important which is a bad look for a TV News Director.”
While working for WJHL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Josh Smith is a BULLY. He will threaten you and has the cache there to follow through. Jay is worthless and they lost all their good employees after his reign started.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I almost left the industry after working at this station. I feel so badly for any fresh faces coming here and getting THIS as their first taste of a newsroom. Please avoid at all costs.”
While working for KOKI this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you are out in the field, you’re worked like a dog. Management prides themselves on how hard they work their crews. That trickles down to producers who carry that same attitude when talking to reporters and photographers. They’re only worried about live shots and content. Your safety or you being comfortable is an after thought.
Reporters must turn two different stories a day that usually involve some type of crime. Arrest and booking reports are their bread and butter. Reporters who are interested in doing real journalism should go elsewhere, but if you’re down for turn and burn, this is your place.
Live shots by yourself and expected to make them creative, engaging. When an issue arises because of the insane workload, the individual is made to feel like they’re the problem. That isn’t the case because a lot of reporters who’ve left have gone on to bigger markets and better stations.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This station is organized and educational in the most negative, toxic way possible.
If you suck up to management and do whatever they say without question, you’ll be fine here.”
News Director: Valerie Sullivan
“She is very nice, but does not stand up for her employees. She plays favorites and lets the GM call the shots.”
While working for WVNS this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The station is extremely toxic due to a lack of leadership in management and the general manager, Al Sandubrae. Al takes every opportunity to undercut his newsroom management and tear down growing reporters. This environment could be a good place for young reporters to grow. Instead, the GM harassed reporters and producers and belittles them in front of an audience. Not a healthy environment. If you want to get burned out quickly in news, this is the station for you.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Many reporters and producers have left the station with a sour taste in their mouths due to the GM’s behavior and treatment. It could be a wonderful place if some of the leadership stepped aside. I would not recommend this station to young reporters. Way too toxic.”
News Director: Darrel Lieze-Adams
“Rarely work with Darrel. EP and Asst. ND are my main “bosses””
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Waterman is the most organized station I have ever worked for. You have to be a go getter. Seek feedback, speak your mind, reach out to management about upward mobility. You may be surprised at what they’re willing to let you do!”
News Director: Tom Henderson
Experience described as: “Chaotic”
While working for WTVC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Tom’s vast knowledge of the news industry is overshadowed
by a hot temper and poor, dictator-like leadership. He does not trust his staff and fosters a culture finger pointing and scapegoating. He is out of touch with the happenings of his own newsroom. The man knows good story telling and will drops some solid gems along the way. Just be prepared for some character assassinations.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Managing Editor and Anchor, Latricia Thomas is also veteran journalist with a lot to offer. Rather than make good on her word to help develop rookie reporters, she wields her power in the newsroom to crush creativity and patronize lower level employees. She engages in petty office politics. Sometimes, falling down on the job to catch errors before air, she becomes combative with anyone from photogs to web staff. She simply has too much on her plate, and will throw you under a moving bus to save face.
You will walk away from this station a solid reporter with a thick skin, and likely a good psychologist on speed dial. Keep everything in writing. HR will likely be copied on any email against you.”
News Director: Heather Corson
“She is utterly clueless as to how to run a newsroom. The only reason she has a job is because the tyrannical owner wants a puppet in the newsroom.”
While working for KTWO this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Numerous complaints have been filed for sexual harassment with no response from management. This place is pretty much run in the dark ages where women are seen as objects.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Do not work here. This station is extremely toxic. The middle management and news director are spineless rubes who cower at the corrupt owner Mark Nalbone. His job is to ruin your life. This place should be investigated for so many sketchy and morally rotten dealings.”
News Director: Matt Stein
Experience described as: “Terrible, constantly putting you down, never positive”
While working for WAAY this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The staff at WAAY is made up of mainly females and I think the ND does that on purpose because he can intimidate them. He does not allow female reporters to wear what they want meaning multiple colors on air, patterns, long/dangle earrings, bell sleeves, you name it, he doesn’t like it. He will call people out in front of everyone and then make people change. He once said someone looked homeless, and he wasn’t trying to be funny.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I worked there for a year and a half and my mental health suffered so much. I would cry to my parents about how I was treated and how the management didn’t care about any of the reporters. They overwork everyone there and give no affirmation for it. I never wanted to go to work and when I did I avoided ND and all other management like the plague. The managers are so far up the ND’s you know what that they are like robots. The assignment manager disliked me from the first day I started and I never gave her a reason to dislike me, so she made it extremely difficult to work. There’s a big difference between being critical and giving helpful advice, and just being negative. The ND never gave helpful criticism it was always well you did this wrong and no advice on how to do it better even when you ask him for suggestions. I felt like in the year and a half I was there I only grew because of the experienced anchors and reporters who would give me advice and feedback. The producers get put on a pedestal because the ND used to be one. He pays them more, he defends them and blames reporters, you can just tell he likes the producers more. Another thing is reporters rarely ever get a photog, which there was only one of, and then the ND gets mad when reporters can’t do active stand ups or live shots. He doesn’t see that he’s the problem. I’m going to keep adding to this there are too many reporters/people who need cameras and cars and not enough cameras and cars. The news reporters are given everything they need while the sports people must take the leftovers. There’s a lot more to say, but I’ll leave it there. Main point of this, don’t work at WAAY while Matt Stein is the ND.”
News Director: Barb Roethler
“She was very knowledgeable , had good experience. She was pretty easy to talk to. Never yelled or talked down to people. She also didn’t pit up with lazy people or drama.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“I had a great experience. I learned a lot from management and people who had been there for awhile. I liked that management didn’t put up with drama . It didn’t matter if they were a reporter, producer , Anchor been there for a long time , it didn’t matter. She treated everyone the same and with respect if they did their job.”
News Director: Kyle Fobe
While working for WBND this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Not even sure where to begin — However, I’ll start by saying all of the previous reviews are absolutely accurate. ABC57 is an extremely tough place to work whether you’re a producer, MMJ, or anchor.
There is no overtime, safety is a huge issue with reporters running their own live shots, there’s little training / professional development opportunities ( i.e. conferences, feedback, etc ), and it’s disorganized. There’s no standard protocol for breaking news, etc — It turns into everyone doing different things, receiving different information, and confusing the staff and audience in the end. Multiple people have up and quit ( I can think of at least 15 ) over the 2.5 yrs I was there due to poor morale / toxic work environment. Most of the producers / MMJs I worked with felt anxious / depressed while there.
The station just transitioned to a new ND, Kyle Fobe. Kyle is a nice guy and has improved the overall atmosphere of the newsroom, but his news judgement is horrendous. My impression is that he values stories that would get clicks / likes and quantity over quality journalism. MMJs during coronavirus coverage have been responsible for multiple VOSOTs and PKGs, often on stories that don’t provide any true news value to the audience. While the previous ND was horrendous in the way she treated staff, she did have decent news judgement ( although she sometimes had too high of a standard ) that made the station’s newscasts different from the competitors. Kyle is also notorious for having ideas in his head that could be great in theory but just aren’t realistic due to station / staff limitations. Although, I will say, he is a visually creative person and in the instances his ideas can be implemented, they’re good.
The few bright spots at this station are they will give you opportunities to anchor, travel if you work for it, pay, and South Bend is a great town.
There’s no permanent weekend morning anchor and the station leaves it open for MMJs who want anchoring experience. It’s a three hour show filled with a lot of moving parts so once it’s mastered, you’re prepared to handle other newscasts.
ABC57 / Weigel also sends MMJs to cover big stories — During my time, MMJs went to LA for Dancing with the Stars, almost all of the Democratic debates / first few rounds of the primaries, national championships, and more. Although, I will say I think it was something more emphasized by the previous ND. I’m not sure if Kyle will keep it up.
South Bend / Michiana itself is filled with a lot of cool restaurants / bars, outdoor activities (45 min away from Lake Michigan), festivals, and more. It’s a smaller town but you won’t be bored. It’s also a great news town meaning there’s a variety of things to cover. The station also pays decently compared to the competitors but remember there’s no OT which sucks because you will work a lot of extra hours.
Overall, this place is tough and will break you — I was warned it will be like boot camp and it was. If you feel like you can handle it / it’s your only option, great, take it. It will help you get to your next station. Most reporters / producers have gone onto top 40 markets after ABC57, but like the one review mentioned, it doesn’t have to be this hard / there are probably better opportunities.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Joe Inderhees
“I couldn’t wait to get out of there.”
While working for WTLV/WJXX this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“News director Joe Inderhees appears to have issues hiring minorities. All the minority on-air talent who have left has been replaced by non-minorities. The racial disparity is also apparent during coverage of news stories. Stories that happen in predominantly white neighbors get more coverage than areas where African Americans live.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The problem with First Coast News is that management does not get challenged. All fall in-line behind news director Joe Inderhees and fail to challenge. This leads to the station being third on nearly every story and playing catch-up on a daily basis.”
News Director: Open
“He was shady. Just took orders from corporate. No one in this position has a voice. It’s disgraceful.”
While working for WBFF this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Certain people are given preferential treatment, leading to pettiness and poor treatment all around.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
News Director: Tom Henderson
“Tom is a very nice man. He’s very persuasive when he wants something, and will make promises to you for the future, but doesn’t actually adhere to them. ALWAYS get EVERYTHING in writing. He loves the “managing editor” Latricia Thomas. Anything she says goes and she knows it. Tom is a little old fashioned and doesn’t agree with most of the new reporters stories. Unless it involves being dirty and calling out people in the city. Great man, but doesn’t actually run his newsroom.”
While working for WTVC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Where do I even begin.
News Channel 9 thrives on one thing, and that’s getting the juicy stories.
There are people that make the newsroom toxic, and unfortunately it’s the people that are in charge.
Latricia T. (5,5:30 anchor, and managing editor) she is condescending and rude. 0 compassion comes from the person that’s being paid to mentor reporters and MMJs. Latricia picks her favorites and if you’re not one of them she’s sure to let you know it. She takes all your scripts and makes them her own. Don’t expect to actually do or write something you’re passionate about. She’ll read it, crumble it up and throw it out then force you to read and claim what she wrote as your own. She doesn’t change things because they’re factually incorrect or because it sounds weird, she changes it because she wants it to be her writing.
She doesn’t give compliments or praise when deserved to any of the reporters, and when she does you can feel that it’s being forced from her.
When you pitch a story idea, she’ll make sure you feel ignorant for even saying it out loud.
She speaks to her employees as if they’re all in preschool when she’s trying to get her point across.
If you get something finished throughout the day on time or early it will NEVER be good enough, she’ll expect you to get more and demand things that just aren’t doable 45 minutes before shows.
SHE requires that you write not one but 2 different stories for the 5&6 news casts. SHE HAS to approve what your write for the 5, before you can voice and edit your package in time for it to air at 5, and then once you’re finished with that you HAVE to write the 6 and get it approved in time to also voice and edit before the 6 starts. And that’s if you’re lucky and aren’t elected to be top of 5 and 5:30.
She believes both packages must be different, but doesn’t care if that makes your job harder. You’re also required to post to social media three times a day at the minimum, begin your web story before shows, and if you don’t expect a passive aggressive text message from her.
She’s a very rude manager, and to be honest as long as she works there with power under her belt, there will never be a reporter that leaves there without running(unless you’re a favorite).
She doesn’t actually care about the reporters, photographers and staff at Channel 9. I watched a reporter that had worked under her for four years on their last day at channel 9 walk out the door and Latricia not even look at that reporters direction. It’s very sad.
The next manager there, previously a producer, now promoted to Assignment Manager, Shannen S.
Shes a rude person in general, but has her good days. She and the managing editor are close.
Personally when it’s just her in the newsroom, she’s a pleasant person to be around, but is influenced by Latricia.
Overall the newsroom only does stories on shootings, deaths, car wrecks, city scandals, and really anything negative.
They do not like happy stories.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The photographers, producers, HR, sales team, engineering and everyone else are all wonderful. Everyone else tries to work as a team and a lot of them love what they do. If you’re in sales you’ll like it there, everyone always seemed to be smiling across the hallway.
The other anchors are all very helpful and sweet.
Kim Chapman (anchor) is the kindest and sweetest person at Channel 9 and if you ever needed real help and guidance she’s the woman to ask!”
News Director: Bryan McGruder
Experience described as: “Good at first, soured later”
While working for WZTV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“1) There was some kind of Alt-Right/KKK rally. Told them I didn’t feel comfortable/safe going multiple times, but was forced to go.
2) Terrible Chief Photographer.
3) Little to no communication between staff.
4) Conservative station/management”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Darrel Lieze Adams
Experience described as: “Very frustrating”
While working for WBBH this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination
“The News director is gay and hires an inordinate amount of gay men. It is actually an open source of discussion in the community. A gay anchor was actually arrested for domestic violence and KEPT his job,…until he was arrested for a second time. You can look it up.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Management takes credit for all successes and blames all failures on employees. The company also runs the ABC affiliate. Both stations should be a dominant number #1 and 2 because of, by far, the largest staff in the market, and superior equipment. There are some good people and the news judgement is generally good. The station also suffers from a weak weather department which holds them back.”
News Director: Shauna Ziegler
Experience described as: “Very poor”
While working for KFOX14 & CBS4 this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Very toxic work environment.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Bryan Queen
Experience described as: “Literal hell. Toxic”
While working for WHP this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Do not come here. Go somewhere else. They’re all over the place. It’s an overall toxic work environment. Not worth working here.”
News Director: Bryan Queen
“Bryan is a nightmare of a person. He has no leadership skills, constantly puts his staff down, openly favors men, has no communication skills, only wants to cover national news and weather, and facilities an extremely negative and toxic work environment”
While working for WHP this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Over the course of Bryan Queen’s two years at the station more than 40 people left. Some left without another job lined up and some of those people had families to provide for which speaks volumes. Person after person went to our GM, HR, Corporate, and each time was told to suck it up or that they’re being too sensitive. Bryan is constantly putting his staff down, never gives positive feedback, doesn’t understand what a good news story is, is unable to make eye contact or hold a conversation… I would rather be homeless than ever work under his leadership at this station again.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you’re thinking about working here I would strongly encourage you to RUN, fast, in the opposite direction.”
News Director: Bryan Queen
Experience described as: “Toxic. Upsetting. Demeaning. Horrible work environment”
While working for WHP this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“It was an unfortunately terrible experience. No feedback, only harsh criticism. No manager stands up for what’s right. Complaints to higher management have gone unanswered. Little camaraderie, as the work load piles up and people look to get out of their contracts early. Little promotion within.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Stay away under this leadership”
News Director: Bryan Queen
“HORRIFIC. Has no human decency, lacks basic communication skills, sets team up for failure, is in no way a positive leader and creates a toxic work environment.”
While working for WHP this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management is completely unprofessional and lacks all leadership skills. The stations turnover rate is incredible and constant.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Morgan Schaab
“Young and unable to make sound decisions that reflect her entire newsroom and community”
While working for WAND this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Oh my! Where do I even start? First, if you’re thinking about working here please run the other direction (and fast). You will not get a sense of comradely from the main anchors. You will not be supported by your news director and you will not do the job you think you’re coming there to do. I can’t even begin to describe how unorganized this newsroom is on top of the fact that most of the staff is straight out of college, the cameras and tripods are heavier then any I’ve experienced. I understand that this is a tough industry and we have to take what we can get sometimes but if you are not straight out of college, trust me – you can do better then this place. I’ll end this with saying the main female anchor at night is a bully who can barely get through the A block without stumbling all over herself. If you want this market, I’d do WCIA.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The control room folks have a history of being nasty. So, if you are an incoming anchor, that’s something to be aware of.”
News Director: Jeff Houston
“He is such a jerk. There is no way he should be in charge of a news room. He likes to bully people and tries to rule with fear tactics. I can’t wait to leave.”
While working for WBMA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“You just can’t thrive in an environment that holds you back. I know I was meant for better things. This place puts a strangle hold on your abilities.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I’m so happy to be leaving this place. I can’t wait to really bloom in my next role.”
News Director: Jeff Houston
“I don’t want to bash him. However, he’s simply not a good person. That translates into awful mgr. very little empathy, and very much like a mean girl from high school. Gossipy and plays favorites. Get everything in writing – immediately! (Been known to say promotions, raises and schedule change discussions never happened)”
While working for WBMA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Massive turnover- disrespectful managers – too focused on tiny things instead of overarching issues – regional ND is a former news director from a previous job. His unscrupulous morals and uncomfortable convos with women were always apparent when he was in town. The entire Sinclair executive board of suits would talk about leaving their wives to visit their girlfriends in Bham. Disgusting. That regional ND once had me do a studio fashion show for him before I could report on the morning show. He picked the outfits he wanted me to wear and how he wanted my hair. It made me feel gross.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“It wasn’t always like this the former ND, Garry, was fair and a hard worker. He’d work the desk in an ongoing breaking situation like snow. He’d fill in on a show if someone’s child got sick …. he’d listen and consider other ideas. He wasn’t perfect, but it set the tone for the entire operation. When he left, the newsroom fell a part. My friends who still work there confirm.. it hasn’t recovered. So many people get out of the biz, quit with no job lined up, and cry in the parking lot. It’s no way to live. I haven’t regretted getting out, once.”
News Director: Jeff Houston
“He is the worst person I have ever worked for. Clearly unorganized, major OCD about minor things. Completely incapable of communicating effectively with staff. He’s the kid that was bullied in middle school and now takes it out on others because he has some power.”
While working for WBMA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management consisted of bullies. The GM, The ND, and HR all team up to bully you. HR here is a joke. She will only take the station side no matter what. Even if you go to her first, she turns it around and blames you.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Avoid at all costs. I worked here in production several years ago under different management. I loved it then. I came back as a producer and it wasn’t the same station. Everyone is miserable. Everyone! I’m the 4th producer to quit in the last 2 months. The other 4 are looking to quit as soon as they can.”
News Director: Jefferson Houston
Experience described as: “Horrible boss. Worst I’ve ever had.”
While working for WBMA this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I was constantly harassed by another coworker. Upon reporting it I was immediately deemed a “non team player”. I reported it over and over and nothing was done about it until I was finally demoted.
The News Director’s mottos for leadership: “I prefer to inspire with fear” and “if people like you, you aren’t doing a good job.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Avoid if at all possible. Unless you are on the favorites list, you will be bullied constantly, by management. There has been a complete turnover in the newsroom in less than two years. And the turnover continues.”
News Director: Eric Walters
“DO NOT WORK HERE – Terrible experience”
While working for WBTW this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“WBTW is NOT the station you want to be! Do not disregard the negative reviews from this station because you will find yourself in misery during the length of your contract. The management failed its employees several times, but was too prideful to admit it. You do not get paid enough to deal with the unorganized, toxic environment that calls itself News 13, and management does not put your safety first. You will be unnecessarily overworked and you won’t have a voice to speak up about the way things are being done. Don’t dare have new ideas or suggestions on how to improve the way news is covered, because you will be seen as a problem and management will make sure to make your job a living nightmare. This station does a terrible job of covering news fairly, so if you have any sort of ethics, this is also not the place you want to be. There are too many people who have never worked in other markets or who only worked in small markets, so they have a “that’s how it’s always been done” attitude.
You will not be treated with respect at WBTW – especially if you are a person of color; We’ve all witnessed the unfair treatment far too many times.
This station only has ONE photographer at the main location in Myrtle Beach, and ONE in the Florence bureau. They are not pushed to work hard, so they get away with making excuses to be lazy. In other words, don’t think you will ever work with them on a story or live shot.
Honestly, there aren’t enough words to describe just how terrible this station is, but please trust the negative reviews and save yourself the trouble.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“You may love the area, but you will be miserable getting out of bed every day going to such a terrible workplace. DO NOT come to WBTW! Everyone else in the market knows how terribly the staff is treated and it’s quite sad.
If you want to come to Myrtle Beach, apply to one of the other stations.”
News Director: Holly Gauntt
“Holly and her management team play favorites and create a toxic work environment.”
While working for KMGH this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Holly and her assistant news director play favorites. For how well respected Holly is in the television industry, she is oblivious to the toxic work environment in the newsroom, created by her management staff. Over the past three years, several top-notch reporters have departed due to this issue. Gerardo Lopez, the assistant news director, spends more time micromanaging the staff than actually working. I wouldn’t be surprised if more departures happened because of his poor management skills.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Holly Gauntt
Experience described as: “Negative, toxic, disorganized”
While working for KMGH this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The news director plays favorites with some and targets others. It was easily one of the worst work environments. The lack of focus was dizzying. Some of the older employees thankfully keep the newsroom grounded and encourage creativity and growth. They are great. The news director will tell you she does, but it’s often lip service. It’s a real shame who she identifies as a “true Journalist” and who she does not. Too many top-notch photographers, reporters and producers left because of that. Some even left the business, which is really disturbing.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“News director aside, many of the people working in the trenches are great people who work their butts off.”
News Director: Chuck Maulden
“Chuck is a good news director overall. Strong ethics. Unfortunately, he’s not able to run the newsroom because the VP of Content controls everything.”
While working for KOTV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Without giving too much identifying information, the station has gone extremely downhill in the last five years. The VP of Content brought in an extremely unqualified news director who was not only bad at his job, but has been described as “evil” and the “worst boss I’ve ever worked for” by people who have been in news for decades. The damage done during that ND’s time felt irreparable. Now, Chuck Maulden is a good news director, but is still not allowed to make the big decisions because the VP of Content controls everything. The VP of Content is massively disliked throughout the newsroom for how he treats to and talks to people. He is notorious for playing favorites, and giving promotions to people who absolutely do not deserve it, while deserving candidates fall by the wayside. He also hires “friends” from outside the company to fill positions when there are many qualified candidates already under his roof. The people you work with directly are, overall, wonderful, even the managers. But again, they all fall under the VP’s thumb. In the past year, all reporters have been forced to turn into MMJs, plus an extra show has been added and doubled everyone’s workload. It seems like no one cares about quality anymore. It’s sad to see what was once an amazing station, fall into ruin because of poor leadership.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“Neogiate outs in your contract.”
News Director: Barb Roethler
“She’s been fired from all the Detroit stations for a reason.”
While working for WILX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“A lack of leadership and vision for the product results in daily “knee jerk” reactions by continually chasing the paper or the number one station in town.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“WILX also does the news for the FOX station in the market, however, the FOX product has its own set of anchors (but uses WILX reporters for all its content.) The GM is relatively new to her position so looks to guidance from the news director. It’s not a coincidence that more than 40 people have left since Barb took over several years ago, but despite being told, management/corporate refuses to do anything about it. The overall newsroom atmosphere is not a positive one. The pay is also extremely low at the station for reporters, producers, and photogs. If you’re promised anything in the interview process, get it in writing. Barb is notorious for not being truthful to new hires about actual job duties (promising things that can or will never happen.)”
News Director: Barb Roethler
“I learned alot. She has alot of previous experience so she was helpful”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“I really learned alot there. I was given a start with not alot of experience and I got a ton. All of the anchors that were experienced. the EP and News Director both work with new employees and teach them alot. I moved on to a bigger market from there..”
News Director: Barb Roethler
“Horrible. She doesnt care about her employees but she is an an okay ND– has good news judgement. She lied all the time. She hired her friends and didn’t work hard. She’s out the door early every day, and made empty promises.”
While working for WILX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Do not work here. The people in the building are nice but they treated their employees poorly.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Randy Bain
“I like Randy. Nice guy. He’s just the messenger to the GM, who is a nightmare.”
While working for KTBS this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The station picks and chooses who gets help and who doesn’t.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Do not work here. Not one person in the newsroom is happy.”
News Director: Randy Bain
“Great guy. One of the best overall bosses I’ve ever had. Truly cares for his employees.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“Seemingly always understaffed, and a bit less structured than other stations due to private management. Anchors get treated very well. Not a terrible place to work but understaffing can put excessive stress on employees to pick up the slack.”
News Director: Jenna Huff
News Manager: Kerri Copello
“Disheartening, depressing, mentally draining, stressful, petty drama, unpleasant, unproductive, poor leadership”
While working for WFXL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The News Director is Jenna Huff, who works out of the station hub in Macon. Employees see her roughly once per quarter and have conference calls with her roughly once per month, if not less. Jenna cared very little about the day-to-day operation and would direct any problems in the station to the News Manager, Kerri.
Staff in the “Albany bureau,” for lack of a better description, report to News Manager Kerri Copello. Kerri has little, if any, respect for her employees and the work they do. She has no experience as a leader and is incredibly unqualified to be in charge of a news operation or employees.
She is quick to point fingers at her employees openly in front of other employees, even when she is fully in the wrong, which usually stems from Kerri’s inability to communicate clearly or her lack of focus. She never takes responsibility for her own actions or her own mistakes. It’s always the news team’s fault.
When her employees do make mistakes (which everybody does every so often), she once again openly calls them out in front of other employees, which drives morale amongst the news team into the ground.
Kerri holds personal grudges against her subordinates and does not treat them fairly.
When viewers throw negative comments at reporters, Kerri does little to stand up for her employees. She takes pleasure in watching her employees fail and does nothing to support them.
Kerri’s passion is meteorology, so she has very little experience in a news setting. With MMJs coming straight out of college, she has very little to offer them in regard to bettering their news product to help them grow as journalists. It’s up to coworkers to critique, edit, train, and support each other. They are on their own.
If anybody has problems with editing in Avid, Kerri wouldn’t be able to help because she is the only person in the station allowed to continue using Edius, even after the station fully switched over to Avid. Coworkers were forced to train each other on the new editing software after Kerri returned from a full training session with no useable information to guide the MMJs.
Kerri was very rarely ever in the station during my time at WFXL, especially whenever she was needed. She would frequently disappear in the nicest news car and not be seen for hours at a time. This left MMJs wondering if their package scripts were approved or left them not knowing what stories they’d be covering for the day, let alone if breaking news happened when she was away.
Because of WFXL’s position as a distant second place in the market, Kerri would get 99% of breaking news stories from the top station in the market. This had reporters calling on crime scenes or going to house fires or robberies hours, if not days, after the top station broke the news. She once asked me to download the other station’s mobile app so I could see their breaking news push alerts and send an MMJ to the scene when she wasn’t in the office.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I was fortunate enough to have my position abruptly eliminated by Sinclair Broadcasting roughly halfway through my two-year contract, along with the newscast director, who had been there for decades. That left a total of 3 MMJs, the web director, and Kerri working in the bureau. I felt bad leaving my friends and coworkers behind in that environment and had a sense of survivor’s guilt.
Getting out of bed and going into work everyday was difficult and depressing. A passion for producing quality news was rarely found because of Kerri, making the employees just want to put their eight hours in and get out as fast as possible, counting down how many days are left in their contracts.
When problems do arise between Kerri or Jenna, the station/HR manager does not stand up for the employees. The GM, who is hubbed at WACH in South Carolina (5 hours away), is understanding and supports the staff better than anybody working in the Albany bureau. Whenever I had issues, I felt like the GM was the best person to talk to about things I saw in the station.
The staff was paid well compared to other stations in the market, but the higher pay wasn’t worth the mental exhaustion of working in that environment.”
News Director: Jenna Huff
News Manager: Kerri Copello
Experience with Jenna described as: “Indifferent- not seen much”
While working for Fox 31 this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The toxic work environment is brought on by the news manager, Kerri Copello who runs day to day operations for the station. She single handily made every reporter miserable.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The news manager, Kerri Copello is one to watch out for. She runs the day to day operations, not the news director. She will lie to you, be deceitful, and will be sure to throw you under the bus. She will tell one reporter one thing, then another person something different. When upper management cracks down on her, she covers herself with more lies. She takes the station cars out for 3 hour lunch breaks with her friends and doesn’t seem to care if another reporter actually needs the car for work or not. Kerri finds time to come in and see what you’ve done an hour before deadline and will change your entire day and force you to re-work your whole story last minute. She is a pro at coming in an hour late every single day and will make you wait for her to even start your day. She is the reason why the station is in a bad position. Kerri also does stories as favors for her friends in the community. If one of her friends is having an event that isn’t really news-worthy, Kerri will force a reporter to go cover it just because she’s friends with the person. She also does this to gain power and influence. Lastly, Kerri has zero news experience- she was a weather woman and they made her news manager. She has no idea what real news is and her judgement makes the station look silly in comparison to our competition. Kerri creates a terrible, toxic news environment and you can’t fully understand how terrible it is until you work for her. Not recommended.”
News Director: Jenna Huff
News Manager: Kerri Copello
“Jenna is very competitive and a great leader. She expects the best from everyone. As long as you give it your all, you’ll have her respect. Bring stories to the table that will lead the newscast.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“WFXL has always struggled going up against a legacy station, WALB. But that has gotten worse since it was bought by Sinclair and now it has become a satellite station. Many people were laid off in 2016 and now the only newscast (10 p.m. weekdays) is anchored from Macon at the studios of the Sinclair station there. The station has three or four reporters covering a large geographical area. I had a good amount of live shots but that was several years ago…now, you probably won’t get any or very little live shot experience. Also, years ago, it was great because nearly all reporters at least had a chance to fill-in anchor. Not a station I would recommend unless things change.”
News Director: Jenna Huff
News Manager: Kerri Copello
“Hardly work with her (Jenna) because she is the news director at another station, and is in Macon. The News Manager, Kerri, Copello is the go to person. Not the best work environment, especially for a first job when you’re trying to learn. Hardly get any direction.”
While working for WFXL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“No weekend show, so you automatically get the weekends off. No photographers. Hardly go live in the field. Always live in the station. Satellite station as well.”
News Director: Jenna Huff
While working for WGXA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“There was no open communication between reporters and management. If an assignment feel through reporters were told to figure it out but management got frustrated when the task wasn’t completed properly. There were safety concerns for reporters.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“An overall toxic and unorganized work environment.
Contracts “can not” be broken without them threatening you with thousands of dollars in damages.”
News Director: Jenna Huff
“Manipulative News Director, Very Deceptive and Passive/Aggressive”
While working for WGXA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The station has lots of potential, but it just never has a sense of direction when it comes to the types of stories to cover and misses the mark most of the time, compared to the legacy station in the market. Management (Jenna Huff) is manipulative and really doesn’t care about the staff. She pits reporters against one another in negative competition, makes false promises and creates a hostile work environment.
She developed a “leadership team” of “yes men” including the Executive Producer who has no clue as to what she’s doing and is very lazy, but only pretends as if she want’s to help and can’t work under pressure. The EP is Jenna’s right hand and agrees with everything Jenna says and does as if she doesn’t have a brain of her own.
The Assistant News Director has a great attitude but is so overly dramatic and freaks out about everything. She plays more of an EP role than the actual EP who has no idea how to lead a news room.
The Assignment Editor is a former producer at the station who seems to hate his job and is miserable. He talks to staff like they are the scum of the earth and will never help with researching information of finding contacts, he’s useless.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Everything is mandated by Sinclair. We ran all types of content “Must Runs” because corporate said so. When I first started working at WGXA I liked it, but then I saw the place for what it was. They took my photographer away and made me cover stories in the ghetto alone. Women can’t even wear their shoulders out because Jenna says so, with no real reason as to why. Glad I got out when I had the chance through the company’s upward mobility program. The station isn’t even in HD and it’s soon to be 2018.”
News Director: Allison Gibson
“Terrible. Zero social skills. Does not know how to talk to her own employees.”
While working for KWWL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Attack culture style from management. You will get little to no feedback to improve as a reporter. There’s no appreciation for employees here.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“You are 100% better off working at the other two stations in the market and you’ll get paid better.”
News Director: Allison Gibson
Experience described as: “New”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“This station was a really good starter market for me. I really loved the Cedar Valley and I met a lot of people in the community who I felt valued me and the stories I told. I made some friends for life here. The anchors are wonderful. The evening anchor, Abby, really cares about this community. Management changed A LOT from 2018 to 2019. I did have to fight for some feature stories I wanted to tell. I was given opportunities to try anchoring here, but Quincy’s contracts are long, and ultimately I decided I want to focus on reporting/mmjing in a bigger city.”
News Director: Allison Gibson
Experience described as: “Terrible”
While working for KWWL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“DO NOT WORK HERE. Yes, this is a great market to work in. You’re better off working at KCRG, the #1 station. Leadership at this station has gone down dramatically under the ND. If you want to sign a long contract and then count down miserably until you’re done.. work here.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Allison Gibson, Shane Moreland prior to her
Experience described as: “Good”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational
Additional comments:
“Shane Moreland was a wonderful news director who takes chances on new reporters and works with them to help them grow. He is very straight forward and for those willing to listen instead of getting defensive, it paid off for them as reporters. When Shane left Allison Gibson came in. She is very kind and willing to listen and hear you out if you ever have concerns. There are a lot of great people at the station including the main anchor Ron Steele who has been there for more than 40 years. I look back on my time at KWWL with good memories and am thankful to have had the experience.”
News Director: Allison Gibson, shortly before her Shane Moreland
“This year alone (2018) a number of on-air talent left the station, most of them finding ways to leave their contracts. It really says something about a station when they lose a met, an anchor, and several reporters in a short amount of time. I think many quit after the former ND Shane Moreland left because they had gone through so much belittling, verbal abuse, and disrespect from him. They finally felt liberated. The current ND Allison Gibson somewhat got a bad situation having to deal with all of this, but she really didn’t make things better like some people had hoped. Not sure what’s going on, but management has yet to fill most of those positions, although it’s been months. The station likes to put on a front like it’s a welcoming, friendly, ‘Iowa nice’ environment. A few people were kind, but there were some very negative, miserable ones behind the scenes who had nothing better to do than to plot against others. You’d think the focus would be the news, right?”
While working for KWWL this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Cathie Batbie-Loucks
“She can be very manic and fails to listen to reason. However she is fair and means well in her decision making.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Positive, Fun
News Director: Cathie Batbie-Loucks
“Enjoyed my time there. She’s worked in the market for years and knows what viewers want to see. It’s a laid back environment, but you need to be motivated to work. There’s great content in this market. It’s up to you how you want to put the story together.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Some are mad the station is hiring kids right out of college, but it’s not the exception, it’s become the rule. If you have a chance to work at this station straight out of school, it’s a great opportunity. Cathie can be tough, but she’s fair. Show up to work on time, be ready to work and drive far, and leave your personal drama at the door. Cathie is willing to take chances on people who probably don’t deserve them. It’s a relaxed environment and you can put together a great tape because there’s plenty of great content. Many work here if they want to get to Phoenix. Nice place to live, pretty inexpensive too. They did a newsroom remodel in recent years. Chief photographer is nowhere to be found and is known to bully people. GM is a great guy, very laid back but he’s all business. Bottom line, if you work hard, you’re creative and you’re positive, Cathie will love and help you. Remember it and never forget it.”
News Director: Cathie Batbie-Loucks
While working for KVOA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Negative, Toxic
While working for WATE this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Reporter had relations with former news director and he was fired. Multiple complaints from multiple people on same reporter causing toxic work environment, nothing done by HR and she is still there. Very bad general manager Coby Cooper. Doesn’t listen to concerns. People feel unsafe working around toxic employee. Glad I left. Get out if you’re still there. For those considering, think again.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
News Director: Chris Best
Experience described as: “Horrendous”
While working for WKRG this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Took a job there because of market size and it being near the beach. While I learned some stuff, I did not nearly get the opportunities I was told I’d get. The new director has a very threatening management style that creates for an overall hostile work environment. Then once it gets to you, he blames you for being “negative” or says “maybe this isn’t for you.” You should take a job in a way lower market before ever signing with Chris best or WKRG.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Run! Do not sign here. Everyone is overworked and the newsroom is way understaffed. The only positive is the assistant news director, who the news director said he almost didn’t hire because he, “hadn’t been a manager before.” Meanwhile, the ND is a first time ND. All he cares about is click bait and video. No storytelling. Doesn’t have reporter’s backs when he makes them do accountability stories. It really is a toxic environment. So many people are leaving and have left the station, yet everyone who leaves is “the problem.””
News Director: Nic Moye
“The news director is a nice person and easy to talk with.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational
Additional comments:
“This station is not perfect, but no job is. I do not agree with the previous ratings that this is a toxic work environment. Your attitude at work plays a big role both here and in life. I enjoy my job and I’ve found if you show initiative, are a team player, ask for help when you need it and don’t expect to have everything handed to you on a silver platter, you can learn a lot here. The co-workers are very nice people. They lookout for each other and become friends and hang out, outside of work.”
While working for WCTV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The work environment is draining. Morale is low because of the transient nature of the market size. The anchors are great at what they do, but the way everyone is worked makes it tough to want to stay. Scheduling is awful and littered with mistakes. Not a place that has the best resources for you to grow. Number one in the market, but the lack of real competition forces panic to go overboard with story ideas. The people are great, but overworked & underpaid. Management needs to work on organization…”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Angela Green
Experience described as: “Horrible”
While working for WFXG this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“News director would curse out employees regularly, have mental breakdowns in front of the staff and send berating emails to staff. Had a lack of respect for employees and vice-versa.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Lorra Lynch Jones
“Lorra is definitely one of the best news directors in the south. There’s a reason people chose to stay at the station for a career and they bring in talents from good schools (i.e Columbia). They also send their employees to larger markets like Miami (Karli Barnett) and Hunter Williams (KVUE Austin). She recognizes hard work and it’s shows when talent jumps to higher markers after leaving. There’s a reason her employees are the best of the best and the station has a double digit ratings lead over the other 2 stations.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“If you want to work in Macon, you’ve got to work for 13WMAZ. The station has a double digit lead over the 2 other competitors. Lots of people jump ship from WGXA and WMGT and have nasty stories from the other stations. Lorra is creative and let’s her staff cover stories they choose. The slogan is “straight from the heart” and Lorra runs her newsroom by this.
Her talent often goes to top markets after a few years of hard work and TEGNA invests in their employees. The station also retains a lot of talent who decide to stay in Macon.
The community is always put first and the news is always accurate.
The other stations’ newscasts are almost unwatchable. Their sets are out of date and the reporters don’t have the talent and resources that the ones at WMAZ do.”
News Director: Jamie Justice
“Want a news director that stays in her office all day? You’ve found the right place.”
While working for WSYX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Everyone is miserable. Turnover rate is terrible. The GM Is cheaper than cheap. HR is useless. Overworked and underpaid describes the overall environment.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Could be a great station with a management swap, and move the pay scales that should have been readjusted 5-10 years ago.”
News Director: Jamie Justice
“She’s nice but not super forthcoming. Plays favorites.”
While working for WSYX this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination
“Very few minorities at the station and most work weekends. Morning show is all White.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control
News Director: Jamie Justice
“She was Asst. ND while I was there. Played favorites, hardly ever came out of her office.”
While working for WSYX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management criticism tended to be destructive, not constructive, and there was a lot of it! I once witnessed the News Ops Manager, Matt, openly mocking the way a photog had shot an interview, and telling other people “you have to see this.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Jamie Justice
Experience described as: “Good, she is fair”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“Overall WSYX/WTTE is a good place to work but the GM has a VERY tight grip on his wallet. Don’t expect to make the money you are supposed to be making. Work hard, payed little.”
News Director: Jamie Justice
Experience described as: “Awesome!”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Great station. It treats its employees well, listens to their concerns. Jamie Justice is a great news director. It IS possible to find a good news director in the business. She is fair, understanding and wants to succeed. I recommend taking a job at WSYX”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This station has some great people working there, starting with the anchors. But, management was the issue. Reporters are often sent alone to remote locations over an hour away with no cell phone service at ANY hour of the day/night. I worried about my own safety more than once while working here. Little empathy from management. Communication within the newsroom is not always great. Shift and scheduling priority is random(sometimes given to newer staff instead of those who have worked at the station longer). High turnover at this station. Most on air talent will leave right when their contract is up.”
News Director: Vicki Bradley
Experience described as: “The worst news director you’ll ever have”
While working for WTXL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The news director and management here is the reason why I left. The station got bought by a new company (Scripps), fired the old news director and brought one ten times worse. Vicki plays clear favorites, doesn’t know how to lead a newsroom and talks to everyone like they’re below her. A couple people after me have left, too. Everyone there talks about wanting to leave but is scared to break their contract. News director is also inexperienced and has terrible news judgement.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“They had to hire an all-new staff to try to kick out the “toxic environment” but the workload and attitude toward reporters hasn’t changed (content over quality). It seems things will never change there.”
News Director: Geoff Roth
Experience described as: “Awkward. Doesn’t seem to care about employees health or safety.”
While working for KMTV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Doesn’t take employees complaints seriously. Claims to be looking into it, but doesn’t do anything.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you want to cover actual news, don’t work here.”
News Director: Jay Quaintance
“Jay is the worst boss I’ve ever had. I’ve never met a bigger asshole who didn’t understand why most everyone hates him. On the rare chance he does speak to, he’ll look in every direction except at you. Just complete weirdo on top of treating most employees like garbage.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
News Director: Ernesto Romero
Experience described as: “Awful. Living hell. Resentful.”
While working for KYMA/KSWT/KECY this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management seriously couldn’t care any less about you. You’re constantly belittled and criticized. If you want to know what severe depression feels like, work here”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Management will turn down great stories because they don’t want to piss off the public agencies in town. The town knows this and feels like they have KYMA wrapped around their finger”
News Director: Megan Lewis
“Megan is trying to turn this station around. She is overall understanding and wants the best for a person individually. She expects a good product and pushes you to get that. Megan was one of the only good experiences I had working for the station.”
While working for KFBB this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“There’s a serious lack of resources – beyond just starter market struggles. They do not have photogs. They’re behind our competitors in almost everything and it’s not even close. There’s not a budget to get content done that you want. It’s an overall negative work environment and often tension and drama throughout the newsroom. The people who have been at the station awhile are a bit controlling. Nobody wants to stay in a small market, but nobody ESPECIALLY wants to stay in THIS small market.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The pay is barely livable (as in, you qualify for food stamps) and the town is horrific. The only upside to coming here is that it gives you experience to get somewhere else. If you have nothing else, I would take it. The communities and people are really nice outside of the actual station. If you have other offers, I would choose those over KFBB.”
News Director: Megan Lewis
Experience described as: “Challenging, but positive”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Don’t get me wrong, working here is NOT easy. It’s a small market, and we’re behind in the ratings by far. But, most of the people who work there genuinely care about their job and the product. Megan Lewis can be a bit overwhelming with her demands, but is generally reasonable and cares about her employees.
The anchor team is young, with the main female anchor a “lifer.” She can be a perfectionist, but helps reporters/producers a lot whenever we need it.
Most of the newsroom drama comes from reporters who spend too much time together outside of work.
Cowles is a family-owned company, but sometimes it feels like they forget about their Montana stations. Communication is not always great, and it shows in our product.”
News Director: Megan Lewis
“Megan is a difficult, cross, unorganized manger who is constantly trying to prove herself for reasons unknown.”
While working for KFBB this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I was constantly pushed beyond the limits any human can possibly achieve. On my *first day*, I was told to turn a PKG and a VOSOT on a separate topic, in addition to MMJing a live shot. Mind you this was my first TV job, and I previously had no experience being live nor did I ever have to day-turn a PKG. I missed my live shot by roughly 30 seconds, as I was quite literally running to get to my live location. I’m in my second market now, and know it is generally not acceptable to miss slot, but this was my FIRST DAY. There are no photographers, so I was completely solo. My ND told me if I ever missed slot again, I would not be able to go live for the remainder of my two year contract. She added that “some people just can’t handle the pressure.” That was my first day, and it only got worse from there.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I was overworked and underpaid. That is *somewhat* understandable or expected in a first market, but this station limits your resources so severely, and hardly ever encourages its employees, that you always feel drained. One time, I told my ND that I did not feel safe going live at a certain location (there were a plethora of reason: it was on a busy road with no shoulder, we were not provided any vests- even after I asked for them-, and it was dark). My ND responded to my concerns with an “I don’t care.” That was the last straw for me. Also, management plays favorites. That becomes abundantly clear within the first 15 minutes you step into the newsroom. Their retention rate is terrible, but they aren’t willing to make changes to improve that score.
I will say that the people of Montana, and The Treasure State itself, are BEAUTIFUL. Although my experience with KFBB was negative, the people and place almost made up for it. I would highly recommend working at any of Cowles Montana Media’s competitors!”
News Director: Phillip Ohnemus
While working for KULR this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I was contacted for a newscast producer position. The news director, Mr. Phillip Ohnemus is also on Indeed.com regularly and was not happy that KULR did not win any Emmy awards this year. This news director has insulted entry-level candidates who really want to be a reporter / multi-media journalist (MMJ). Mr. Phillip Ohnemus recently contacted me for a job interview at KULR and said that he doesn’t want any “introverted, awkward, loner, shy, and wallflower people” in his newsroom and in the journalism industry. When I told Mr. Phillip Ohnemus that my true journalism endeavor is to be a multi-media journalist (MMJ), Mr. Phillip Ohnemus said that “newscast producers cannot be a multi-media journalist (MMJ) and will not be successful in this venture at his station.” Mr. Phillip Ohnemus also felt I was not vocal enough to contribute to anything his newsroom and at KULR-8, and that I am just an “awkward, loner, wallflower” person. It is known that it is an “image business,” but do not make entry-level candidates feel discourage that they are “unattractive,” “ugly,” and not “pretty enough.” Mr. Phillip Ohnemus does not truly understand or know how difficult is for any entry-level job candidate to find his or her first television news job at a small market station. KULR-8 and its sister affiliates across the state of Montana, KFBB, KWYB, KTMF, and Cowles Montana Media Company (Cowles Company), must give all entry-level candidates the opportunity to learn all roles in a newsroom regardless of any news positions the candidates is being hired for and to prove the news director (Mr. Phillip Ohnemus), entire news staff, and newsroom management personnel wrong. If an entry-level producer candidate really wants to be an MMJ in an entry-level starter-market station like yours, give them a chance and give them real, truthful and actual help. Do not discourage entry-level candidates telling them that they cannot do anything and cannot be successful in anything, especially in a starter-market station. Help them to be a news reporter / MMJ, especially if newscast producing is not what he or she wants to do for the rest of their entire TV news career. Give entry-level candidates from all walks of life, all backgrounds of life, including candidates with learning differences/learning disabilities, a real chance and a real opportunity to be a multi-media journalist (MMJ). Do not put them down. Help entry-level newscast producers who truly want to be MMJs, be MMJs. There are entry-level newscast producers out there that do not want be a producer for the rest of their life and have no desire for newsroom management. Show all entry-level candidates respect! Give everyone an equal, decent, fighting chance and an opportunity to be an MMJ.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Joe Inderhees
“I was not a fan. He belittled employees and was always the last to know in the newsroom. I was also not a fan off his yelling matches in the newsroom with management/anchors.”
While working for WTLV/WJXX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Newsroom management was never on the same page, which caused mass confusion. Hostilities were constantly shown.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Unfortunately, the station seemingly has fallen off a cliff during the past couple of years. Last in broadcast and at the bottom-of-the-barrel for digital. The fact that more than a dozen staffers in the newsroom have left the station should tell you something.”
News Director: Robert Davidson
“Robert is an excellent ND to work for starting out in the TV business. He’s always available to talk and can be tough at times but wants what is best for his reporters and team.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This is in direct response to the review from March 10, 2020: please do not take what he said as truth. WCBI is a great place to work for starting out in the industry. The GM is actually a superb person and the experience this former employee describes is inaccurate. You have ample opportunity to learn from great people but also learn on your own. You’ll make mistakes and they accept that so it encourages an environment of experimentation and effort. Overall, WCBI is a great place to begin your career and it will further your future wherever you decide to go next.”
News Director: Kristen Shill
Experience described as: “Toxic and stressful”
While working for WQOW this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This station is toxic, the previous news director Dan Shillinger was worst. The management here is sub-par. The turn around is quick, and they blindly promote people without proper experience. Do yourself a favor and skip applying here.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“People either quit or get fired very quickly”
News Director: Jon Levy
“Levy lacks leadership and management skills. Too busy looking to be a “bro”‘instead of a “boss”, doesn’t care for anyone member of the newsroom unless they’re “ buddy buddy” with him, he’s very unprofessional”
While working for WCJB this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Very unhealthy and toxic newsroom, management is the worst by far. If you want to feel unappreciated, then be my guest and join the crew!”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This site is here for honesty. And it’s said that someone took it upon themselves to lie about the reality of the station. This place is very toxic!!!! Many of the reporters and producers experience terrible anxiety and stress on a daily basis. All Management do is complain instead of helping. The news directors is terrible and shows favoritism. It’s an awful place to work.”
News Director: Jon Levy
Experience described as: “Inconsiderate, not believable, has favorites”
While working for WCJB this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management has favorites, and if you aren’t one of the favorites or aren’t in the “clique” with their favorites, you will feel the burn. They will get everything they want and ask for, and you won’t, and that comes along with opportunities. The favorites will continuously get time off, be defended in arguments, represent the stations at events, while everyone else does not. It doesn’t matter whether you are a reporter, producer, director, or AP. You will not be treated fairly. You can try standing up for yourself and others, but it won’t work in your favor. You’ll be dubbed as “always having a problem” and “something to say” about how the place is ran. But, in my opinion, change never happens without someone standing up and saying something. Also, when it comes to your health and mental health, it is not a priority for management, because they don’t have enough employees to cover in your absence. They’ll ask you to work with pneumonia, the flu, even if you’re in the hospital, they’ll ask when the soonest you can come back is.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Everything is unorganized, and management does not have your interests at heart. If you do take a job here, make sure to negotiate for what you want. Don’t trust that they’ll honor your word, because the ND will switch up on you quick. Many are not happy here, and are leaving after only months to a year at the station. These aren’t “disgruntled” employees, but these are employees who deserve better and want to go somewhere where they can learn and are treated as equals. It is the number one station, but there are only 2 stations in the market, plus a college station we also compete with. You’ll learn in some ways, but you’ll also be alone. Paige Beck and David Snyder are the best, and will have your interests at heart. As the main anchors they will try to fight about things with management, teach you, and try to help you, but overall the majority of people are not happy at the station. I suggest if you have more questions, reach out to some of the former producers, photogs, and reporters on LinkedIN, Facebook, Twitter. They can give you more information on the place to help with your decision.”
While working for WFFT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This station has a reputation across the country, and it’s not good. While attending workshops, I’d introduce myself and my station. More than half of the responses are “oh, I’m sorry.” First impressions are everything, and this station can’t be bothered to get a welcome mat with a current logo. The web address on the welcome mat takes you to another station in the market. If you want to learn every job in the station, this is the place to work. There are no photographers on staff so reporters shoot all local stories. Reporters have even filled potions in the control room. Management doesn’t understand how much work is worth. People in smaller markets make more. Great place to learn, but note all on air staff was hired less than three years ago.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“You learn to be efficient, which will help in the future.”
News Director: Jay Horowitz
Experience described as: “High expectations, there is a lot to learn. Hands-off.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“News product published on Youtube, but our daily audience is larger than the circulation of the Washington Post and we only publish original reporting. All staff work from home. Not for someone who can’t self-motivate. I think there’s potential for huge growth, but I regularly have to deal with stigma against non-traditional media, which is very real and is something I didn’t expect when I accepted. We publish at www.youtube.com/realworldpolice“
News Director: Rubén Olague
Experience described as: “Horrible”
While working for EstrellaTV this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Host & Managing Editor: John Bachman
Experience described as: “Poor”
While working for Newsmax TV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
News Director: Alison Coe
“Alison is not a supportive news director. She is very unorganized and only makes contact with staff when they’ve done something not pleasing to her. She definitely picks her favorites, so if you’re not one of them, good luck.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Rod Peterson
Experience described as: “Overall positive”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Overall this is a great station to work for. While there are a lot of MMJs, you never do a live shot by yourself and if you absolutely need a photographer for any reason they usually do everything in their power to make it happen. Our newsroom has a lot less people than our competitor so sometimes it feels like we try to do just as much with less resources. However, management recognizes hard work and in the end if you tried your best to cover what you can that’s all they ask for. News Director Rod Peterson works hard to make corporate happy which can be frustrating sometimes, but more than that he has his employees happiness at heart. He always stresses making time for family, making sure your time off/weekends are spent unplugging, etc. If you are sick or have a family emergency he’s the first to have your back. Anchors are awesome people and are willing to work with you on stories, critique, etc. Great place to grow in your career or maybe even call a permanent home.”
News Director: Jaime Copley
Experience described as: “Horrible/ Toxic”
While working for KIMT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management at KIMT expect reporters to never take a sick, personal or vacation day. They pile up the workload and expect us to not get overtime.
The news director is extremely unprofessional. They will speak to everyone about you and how you’re a problem here without directly coming to you. There is no room for growth. This is a small market, meaning most people are straight out of college or in their first tv job. They use that to their advantage by making you feel like you will never be successful outside of KIMT.
The news director has only worked at KIMT for 20 + years. If you try to suggest doing something different of a new way to approach a story. She’ll try to embarrass you in front of everyone during the pitch meeting. The station is going through a change of shifting coverage from primarily Iowa to Rochester, Minnesota. Management (News director, news content manager, HR, etc) all live in Mason City Iowa. That means they don’t know what’s really going on across the border. They don’t understand how far some areas are from each other and expect reporters to be able to do two live hits about two different stories on two different sides of the state. They also heavily rely on reporters to become content managers and know EVERY event going on in the area. That means if a reporter calls in sick or is on vacation and we miss a story, they blame reporters and not their own lack of understanding.
Many reporters have cried, experienced anxiety attacks and even broke out into severe rashes because of how unorganized and toxic the newsroom is.
This is not a place where you can grow and be thankful for your experience. FOR THOSE LOOKING TO COME TO KIMT, YOU WILL REGRET YOUR DECISION WITHIN 3 MONTHS!!!!
If you try to get out of your contract they will come after you. This station is the absolute worst newsroom I’ve ever been in.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The management staff is horrible.”
News Director: Jaime Copley
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This station feels like another round of college. You’ll learn a lot, especially from George and corporate consultants. The KIMT team is a fun bunch. We hang out even when we’re off the clock. You know the phrase “the customer is always right?” If you treat management like the customer and can swallow your pride, you’ll do just fine.”
News Director: Jamie Copley
Experience described as: “Toxic, disaster, working to tear you down rather than build you up.”
While working for KIMT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“News Director Jamie Copley creates a very toxic work environment. You never knew which Jamie you were going to get each day. One day she’s out in the newsroom playing music and dancing, the next she’s throwing things across the room and screaming.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I would never wish the experience I had there on anyone. Right out of college, I believed this was the way all newsrooms worked and seriously considered changing my career. Luckily I had one mentor there who was awesome, looked out for me, helped me grow and honestly saved me. News Director Jamie Copley and General Manager Steve Martinson are absolutely terrible to work for. They don’t care about their employees mental or physical health at all. You’ll work crazy overtime, expected to do more work than feasible in an 8 hour work day, but get in trouble for actually clocking in those overtime hours. They abuse their salary employees. For example, they were short staffed in the weather department and made meteorologists work 6 days a week for months with promise of “getting that time back” only to never see it. Not to mention when the meteorologist started to complain about being over worked they actually had anchors with no weather experience do the weather! It was honestly embarrassing. They also feel local sports are not important once so ever. Copley has anger management issues and it’s clear she brings her home life into the workplace and takes it out on her employees. Her best friend is one of the anchors and she lets her get away with doing absolutely nothing while pushing the work onto other employees. No newsroom is perfect, but I honestly believe this is one of the worst.”
Director of Content: Adam Miller
Experience described as: “Undervalued, unwanted and disposable”
While working for WKYC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Working at WKYC is only favorable if you’re a favorite, aka if you have celebrity status. Those are the only people that matter to the news director. He plays favorites and only cares to get to know you if you’re on-air talent and if you suck up to him. Most of his time is spent behind a closed door or in meetings where management talks negatively about the employees. If you want feedback you’ll only receive it if it is negative and it comes in the form of a passive aggressive email. Those working off-camera or behind the camera aren’t prioritized or valued. The standards aren’t uniform for all employees. Raises aren’t more than 2% to 3% but management claims there is no budget for them, yet they add new hires who are mostly anchors at an alarming rate. You might like WKYC if you are a well known anchor. Otherwise you won’t matter.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
News Director: Joe Inderhees
“He’s bipolar. He’s moods determine what kind of day you’ll have. He lies to get people to sign contracts. Make sure everything you ask for is in writing in your contract.”
While working for WTLV/WJXX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Newsroom is very toxic due to management. They are never on the same page and that causes confusion and frustration.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Don’t expect a raise when negotiating. They only give the anchors and seasoned employees good pay raises. Everyone else don’t matter.”
News Director: Megan Harris
“Megan is fair but takes time to warm up to people. Once she’s comfortable with you, she’s great. However, if she’s not comfortable with you, she can make you feel awkward.”
While working for WTLV/WJXX this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“My negative experiences were with co-workers who seemed to be determined to drag the morale of the station down. It was like a “good old boys” club. I noticed certain people are not readily welcomed as others. Things have changed significantly in last year or so with new management including Megan.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“The newsroom was toxic but new mgmt has changed that.
The morale here is improving daily. I really enjoy coming work now.
We can be unorganized sometimes and the workload not evenly distributed.
Severe weather is our forte. It’s like we come alive for it. Mgmt seems too “come alive” as well.
Training opportunities through the year.
ND has an open door and always willing to critique your work. I love that about MH.
Our newsroom is pretty fun. We have a ping pong table and other games IN THE NEWSROOM! Lol it does help relieve the stress of the day to get a game in.
This station LOVES creativity. The motto is basically “go for it”. No idea is too crazy.
We do need more staff. Especially photogs. We are usually outnumbered on stories and sometimes miss opportunities because we have one crew or just an MMJ at a scene when the competition has two crews (none MMJ) or more at a scene.
This station is heavily MMJ when the competition rarely uses MMJ’s. so, the playing field is NOT even in the field.
You will find yourself running like a chicken with your head cut off trying to keep up with the competition.
If I had one piece of advice to management/corporate it would be to adequately staff your stations!
Overall, I would recommend this station. If you’re a loner or anti-social, this is NOT the newsroom for you. Mgmt loves creativity, passion, and personality.
We’re in a transition but headed in the right direction.”
News Director: Robert Davidson
“Robert is a great news director. He knows the news business. He really wants to seee his reporters grow, and his door is always open. You can approach him about anything and he’s understandable.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Sometimes things can get a bit unorganized which causes a lack of communication, but overall this is a really good news room. Great producers, and great writers. This is a great market and TV station for starters who are just getting into the business and looking to perfect their craft and go to the next market.”
News Director: Robert Davidson
Experience described as: “Horrible and mismanaged, the General Manager is too”
While working for WCBI this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The good-ole boys will quash any positive progression towards a better future, and if you raise your voice about something they will push you out the door.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The General Manager is a bully and a tyrant, and unsupportive of staff. When an employee told him that they were getting flown out for a new job, the GM told that employee “I hope you don’t get it.” He has a temper and micromanages the place. It is not a great place to start out.”
News Director: Greg Scheiferstein
Experience described as: “A real nightmare”
While working for KRNV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Inexperienced employees will most likely get raises and promotions. Communication sucks and ambitious women are often passed over.
You will not get promoted if you aren’t from the Midwest or at least Ohio in the News Director’s terms. Only hires people he feels comfortable with.
This is a dead-end station with a lot of favoritism. Most unprofessional work environment I’ve ever worked in. Culture is worse than high school.
You don’t matter, your career doesn’t matter, nothing matters here unless you get lucky.
You will be encouraged to apply for a position but then passed over. He refuses to hire within unless you show sexual interest in him.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“That’s nice all the young kids get big wig titles but they’ll crash and burn later thanks to this guy.”
News Director: April Samp
Experience described as: “Driven, formulates a plan effectively.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“Great place to learn from seasoned, award winning storytellers.
Advancement opportunities are given to those who want to try new challenges.
Major improvements have been made to the station in the past 5 years.”
News Director: April Samp
Experience described as: “Inconsistent, vengeful”
While working for WOI-TV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Samp fails to unite the team, looks out for herself and fails to follow-up on promises. Her personal life is a disaster and each day is dependent upon her tinder date from the night before.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“The station has been purchased and sold several times now, there have been several GMs in last few years and total lack of oversight to hold April accountable.”
News Director: April Samp
While working for WOI-TV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“As long as April Samp is ND WOI-TV, DON’T WORK THERE! She will promise you many things during the interviewing process but it’s all a SCAM. Reporters who were promised photogs for live shots were sent to breaking news and other normal live shots (ALONE).
The station is so bad … reporters, photogs and editors have decided to leave ahead of time.
There are many unorganized newsrooms but this is one of the worst.
The ND cannot run an efficient editorial meeting, she will lash out at you when you least expect it. Even when the ND is there her mind is barely present – she has her EP pick up all her slack (which is why her EP is miserable).
The station is last in the market which is why the newsroom is so toxic. People in the community and from the competion do not take WOI reporter, photogs – serious.
BE VERY CAUTIOUS ABOUT APPLYING OR TAKING A CALL FROM THE ND – She may seem nice but once she locks you in , you are screwed.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: April Samp
“She goes all in on big things, but hard to judge her mood.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“There are some great, talented people who work here. Great pit stop for anyone starting a career.”
