2018-05-03
News Director: Greg Schieferstein
“A manager who chimes in simply to pretend he’s managing. Interactions with him are rare, which could be a blessing in disguise. He mostly sits in his office and plays on his phone.”
While working for KRNV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“KRNV is a good station to work for if you want to get therapy; because this newsroom will ensure you need it. Coworkers are great, but management (for the most part) will ensure you lie in bed every morning as long as you can, staring into the abyss asking yourself how you can get through one more day.
Support for employees is minimal (not there at all) so you must be a self-starter to have a remote chance to succeed. In other words, expect to work outside of your shift, but don’t expect any appreciation or payment for doing so.
Reporters have been sent to riots with no safety precautions. Shifts are structured in a way that makes you question your life choices on a daily basis. Stories are shot down or changed on a whim with no explanation just to send crews hours away to nonexistent news. (Happens on many occasions).
Don’t expect a steady schedule because there’s a good chance yours will change on a week-to-week basis due to poor management and high turnover.
This newsroom legitimately could have been one of the best in the west (yes, even compared to SF and Sacramento), but the insanity behind management’s decision making ensured that potential was never realized. Virtually all of the photographers left, all meteorologists quit within a few months of each other (again, terrible foresight by management), and producers and reporters enter and exit like it’s some kind of carnival ride in hell.
Active investigations have been brought forth against the ND with no results. Employees have confided as much and admit they’re on the verge of mental breakdowns.
Reno rests in a lovely area, but the salary compared to the cost of living and affects on your mental health means you should avoid at all costs.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Avoid if you can. Despite a great set of coworkers, the taxing toll on mental health will make you regret your decision almost immediately. Many have broken contracts just to get out. They weren’t the first and won’t be the last.”
News Director: Matt Templeman
Experience described as: “Good guy but overwhelmed boss”
While working for KEZI this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“They pay u burger king wages and act like you should be greatful. Even Sinclair pays better, has better benefits and has less workload. There is no upside to working here.”
News Director: Keith Connors
“One of the worst experiences of my life”
While working for WFSB this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The station has no communication, the management has no idea what goes on in the newsroom. They don’t care of journalistic ethics, they don’t care about anything but advertising money. There is no team work.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“It is amazing that they are the number one station in the market. I felt less like a journalist here than I did in high school. It was all about the money, nothing about journalism.”
News Director: Barb Rothler
“Barb was the news director at the time, I feel that she knew the newsroom was filled with toxic behavior from management and she did nothing about it. She was very passive aggressive, but seeing as though she’s gotten out of the industry, I’d like to focus my review on the EP and the Assignment Editor. The two of them together were never on one accord, you’d get an assignment from the editor and then get yelled at by the EP for doing it. They were both manipulative, conniving and it seemed as though they did everything they could to intimidate their staff and back them into a corner. I am very happy to no longer be working in this place, it was more harmful to my career than helpful. My advice is to not make a stop here if you don’t have to, getting the experience is not worth the hell you’re put through.”
While working for WILX this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“There was an obvious limit of diversity among staff in this newsroom. There was also a constant deny of pitches that represented the Black community, along with an apparent difference in treatment when it came to work criticism.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“While diversity was an issue at this station, it was just one of many. I had several coworkers outside of the Black and Brown race who also felt that the work environment was extremely toxic, I wouldn’t advise anyone to work here under the current management.”
News Director: Jerry Giesler
Experience described as: “Casual, Light-hearted, Fun”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“WJFW feels small town (or in this case Northwoods), even for its market size. But that’s not all bad.
Nearly no breaking news means reporters are free to pitch fun or thoughtful enterprise stories.
The ND is the most laid back and friendly manager you’ll ever have. He will give feedback and help if you seek it out, but he’s fairly hands off (which most NDs are) on hour-by-hour work.
The Chief Met, Geoff, is genuinely the nicest person ever and helps lift the mood of the whole station.
This is a low stress place to learn. But if you’re looking for fast-paced breaking news and bigger city lifestyle, look elsewhere.
They pay MMJs slightly better than market size would indicate (though it’s still a small market), and are willing to splurge for leaders, if they think they’ll make a difference.”
While working for WWTV this person experienced:
“As a woman of color who works here I think it’s important to note I have NEVER experienced racism or sexism by any employee”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational
News Director: Jenna Huff
Experience described as: “Toxic and Uncomfortable”
While working for WANE this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I’ve experienced countless moments of racial discrimination encounters with current News DIrector, Jenna Huff. She never takes responbililty for her actions, she just puts it on someone else. She’s not a team player – it’s either her way or no way. She looks at others as beneath her. This is not a safe place for people of color.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“No matter how much you complain, nothing gets done”
News Director: Mark Kurtz
Experience described as: “Toxic”
While working for WAVY this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Mark had no spine. Rude and toxic employees get promoted when they should be fired. They’ll constantly say “it’s good to be WAVY” and gaslighting you while giving you no raise or 1%. It’s ridiculous.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Avoid Nexstar, weekend shift, and the morning show.”
News Director: Jenna Huff
Experience described as: “Toxic, Negative, Heartbreaking”
While working for WJCL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Got it how’s this…
Since Jenna Huff has been news director at WANE 15 at least 14 passionate journalists have left the station and a majority of them have left the industry and majority of those leaving are people who would normally be consider “lifers.”
Huff requires reporters to have 2 stories set in stone before their shift for the day but if she does not like them had reporters cancel, which has made it difficult for reporters to keep contacts and sources.
Huff belittles reporters, especially if she does not like their story ideas and discourages reporters and photographers from covering events in surrounding counties.
Huff often yells at reporters and threatens to fire employees in front of other employees. When reporters or photographers show an interest in moving to another station within Nexstar Huff makes it difficult to transfer and then tells the newsroom “(reporter name) is dead to us” and “if you don’t want to be here I don’t want you here.”
The pay is poor, the news director leadership is poor and what used to be the 1 station in the market has slipped to 2.
The only positive is that when Huff does belittle an employee the others are there with tissues because the day before they were being told they’d “never be a good reporter””
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“WANE was the place to work BEFORE Huff. The fact Nexstar corporate has yet to respond and step up is a slap in the fast of all the hardworking people who made WANE 15 the number one station and those reporter struggling with a toxic boss and mental health.”
News Director: Jenna Huff
“Worst experience of my life”
While working for WANE this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“News director sets unreasonable work expectations and how strict she is with them entirely depends on how much she likes the person. Makes snap decisions regardless of how many people disagree with her and will change the subject or ignore phone calls when she’s done talking about it.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“WANE went from being a station where people genuinely enjoyed working at to a place where people are miserable. Around 14 people have left in the last year (compared to 1 person the year before) after a change in leadership and now new hires are being thrust into their jobs with little training but high expectations. Pay is poor and news director refuses to negotiate. Mental health for many news staff is not great, and it’s now become about getting by and staying out of the line of fire rather than putting out great content.”
News Director: Andy Pederson
Experience described as: “Absolutely awful – Worst Job”
While working for KTVE/KARD this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I was sexually and verbally harassed by (someone in management)*** during my time there. It was my first job out of college and I thought it was normal to have an older white male constantly stare at my ass, constantly comment on tight dresses I wore, and even would pass by me to ‘casually’ touch my butt. He has a very specific type. After he hired me, he hired skinny and brunette females as if he had a type. He is married with a son and was constantly preying on me. I had to go to Corporate to report him, because my HR rep at the time would not have done anything about it. Corporate brushed it under the rug despite the fact that I had about 4-5 instances as proof. When he wasn’t sexually preying on me, he was verbally harassing me making fun of what I said and constantly bringing me down. If you go to myarklamiss.com, you’ll notice there are only 4 males that work at the station and the rest are females…”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I did eventually transfer to another station and never want to look back again, but do not work there if you are a female. You will run into the risk of working with a sexual predator and will have little control of your situation.”
***The person’s job title was removed due to claims of libel from the accused.
News Director: Ernesto Romero
Experience described as: “Abhorrent and unprofessional”
While working for KYMA/KSWT/KECY this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Ernesto is a nice person, but only as a person. For him, there’s no boundaries. Texts and emails early in the morning and late at night. Often times he is missing in action in the newsroom. You are frequently wrong, but he never is. Absolutely unable to make quick decisions and more times than not, plays favorites. Upper management even turns a blind eye to his horrible behavior – but ratings and web views always does well, so he gets credit. (Someone in management)*** made a move on me outside of work and it was majorly uncomfortable ever since. Worst two years of my life.
Don’t even think about asking for your equipment to be fixed (when it often breaks) or you’ll get all the blame. Very unorganized. If you’re strong-willed, independent, and pay no mind to the drama he creates, then you’ll succeed. Otherwise, this newsroom is absolutely toxic.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Can’t really say anything positive about this newsroom except the tight relationships made with other people in the newsroom. But, there are some with major egos – they are fueled even more by the News Director. Everyone says it’s not a competition, but you’ll find yourself all competing and fighting to get the top stories and coverage. Usually agendas/plans for news coverage for big events (President’s visit, Press Conferences) is last-minute. The station has NBC, CBS, ABC, Telemundo, and FOX all under the same roof… but all the company’s resources goes into the NBC’s 5 & 6pm shows. If you’re not on those shows, then don’t expect to be a priority. Not worth it for the amount of time you’ll bust your butt to work.”
***The person’s job title was removed due to claims of libel from the accused.
News Director: Dan Firnbach
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“We all know these reviews are written by (four current employees)*** and a few others (maybe don’t text others about it).
I’m tired of people in the newsroom talking about this website and then going to it just flat out lie about Dan and the rest of the people in the newsroom that care about it.
No one has left the newsroom in months. It’s not toxic, filled with racism or sex discrimination. These are so laughable cuz every one knows it’s these 4-5 continually posting these. Meanwhile the rest of us laugh at their texts and secret talks about these posts. Get a life divas.”
***The names were omitted to hide the possible previous reviewer’s identities.
News Director: John Haferkamp
“He was good, made some offensive jokes at times but overall seems to care about his employees. Never had a problem getting time off or anything.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This is a great first station to work for, and I think everyone should disregard the negative review by the reporter.
That negative review makes some good points but is mostly false. WSBT has a lack of on air diversity, but then again it’s Indiana. We do have a very diverse group of people working behind the scenes, but I doubt (they)*** ever cared to meet any of them. (The person who wrote the negative review) was fired because (they) kept sharing confidential details about our daily news operations on (their) public social media and openly criticizing us in detail on those platforms if we didn’t like (their) ideas that day. (They) also refused to take criticism and would get offended when changes were made to (their) scripts. I even saw (them) refuse those corrections and voice (their) pkg with (their) original script on several occasions. (They) would constantly miss the point of stories or force an angle that just wasn’t there. (This person) was once sent to cover a town hall on gun violence and came back with a cutesy story about a child asking the mayor his favorite food. (Their) firing had nothing to do with (their) race, (this person) was just a bad employee and delusional. (This person) was even given multiple warnings and chances to improve, and management spent extra time and resources working with (them). Still, (this person) always thought everyone was out to get (them). Our news director was not shady at all or discreet with (this person’s) performance issues with (them). I would consider him one of the better bosses in this industry.
The station also does not hate Joshua Short or WNDU. We just dislike his famous black friday live shot because he made a mistake being on the wrong side of the mall. He also continues to ride that gimmick for going on 3 years now. Most people are friends with him and he regularly goes out for drinks with WSBT staff.”
***The pronouns were changed to hide the possible previous reviewer’s identity.
News Director: Ernesto Romero
“Abhorrent. One of the worst experiences I’ve ever had with boss – in and out of the news business. Dreaded going to work and my skin would crawl when he walked through the door.”
While working for KYMA/KSWT/KECY this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I was on the receiving end of sexual harassment by (someone in management)***. It wasn’t during work hours, but it seemed to affect me during work hours (would be ignited, not considered for stories, etc). He would scold, curse at you also for the smallest things. Also, you had to be on call seemingly 24/7. He would text you constantly about anything and everything — when it could’ve been sent in an email. Mostly laid back, but a little too laid back where you’ll receive no guidance or leadership. Takes tremendous amounts of time off and delegates tasks to everyone else. Massive egos in this newsroom and reporters’ egos get bigger because he picks favorites. Even if you believe you work harder than others, you’ll miss out on big stories because you’re not his favorite. Very toxic and demeaning newsroom.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Avoid this station if you’re trying to break into the business. The newsroom is home to ABC, NBC, FOX, CBS, and Telemundo all under one roof with one news director. The quality or the newscasts are mediocre and money is rarely spent on new equipment. The ND has only worked at KYMA (NBC) so expect all company resources to be put into that show (5&6). Do not expect constructive feedback on your work. Also, upper management doesn’t take your concerns seriously. Avoid like the plague. You will become unhappy.”
***The person’s job title was removed due to claims of libel from the accused.
News Director: Iain Munro
“There’s a reason people are fleeing this station left and right: management”
While working for KRQE this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The management at KRQE is absolutely unacceptable. Talented, motivated journalists (producers included) and meteorologists are dropping like flies at this shop because of how poorly they are treated by superiors. The long-time talent are the only ones treated well — and they are allowed to speak/act in a completely unprofessional manner to/around the younger staff members. It’s a mess. If you’re looking for genuine mentoring and a leader of the people, Mr. Munro is not your guy.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The ‘never settle’ attitude of the newsroom is KRQE’s only praise-worthy quality. Reporters/MMJs are pushed incredibly hard to find enterprise news stories the competition won’t have — and they develop a crucial skill set to turn in-depth daily stories that would likely be an investigative piece in any other market. You’ll learn a lot… just learn quickly and take your talents to a place where you won’t be treated like garbage.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Dan Firnbach
“Seems a bit in over his head”
While working for WWTV this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Totally a boys club.
Women don’t have a say.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Love this site. It gives employees an opportunity to speak their minds and inform other potential employees of what they are getting into. Wish I had known about this before I hired in to 9&10.
Don’t let review #10 fool you. It was obviously written by their current news director Dan Firnbach. I have emails from him screenshot where some of the exact verbage he uses in this review was used.
Clearly trying to do damage control because of the amount of people that are leaving 9&10.
There are people paying to break their contract just to get out of that place. Think about it. To some people, it’s worth the 10k penalty just to leave. That speaks volumes.
Was the last news director your best friend? Did he hold your hand and pat you on the bottom and tell you everything is going to be ok? No. He’s not your mommy. He had expectations, and held you accountable. That’s why 9&10 used to be the best. Now the news department heads are nothing but pushovers in way over their head. Watch their news shows. It’s a disgrace.
I have been here a long time. It’s not better than it used to be. It’s worse than it has been in years. And the reason for that is the firing of the people who were the heart of that station for years. GM, ND, and anchors let go that MADE this station. And the hiring of upper management that have zero experience in news, and are only looking to make money. Case in point, if you look at available job postings at 9&10, you will find one for a farmer. A farmer. Why would a news organization need a farmer you ask? Because they are pouring money into building a farm, to make more money for the bosses. Meanwhile, they are letting good people go because there “isn’t enough money in the budget.” But they have enough for a farm? Maybe it’s from all the 10k penalties people are paying to break contract.
Don’t be fooled by upper management writing positive comments on here.
It’s bad.
And no change seems to be on the horizon.”
News Director: Ryan Hazelwood
Experience described as: “I feel victimized”
While working for KOAA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I am refraining from giving away any identifying information about who I am or what my job is at the station, because I know our vindictive managers not only read these reviews, but they also admittedly write fake positive ones and retail items against those they believe are responsible for the very accurate negative ones.
I will also likely be putting in my resignation soon and do not want to be identified just yet. But suffice it to say they’ll be shocked if and when I do.
I have watched as this once shining example of how a newsroom should be run has gone completely downhill.
As other reviews have accurately pointed out, it all started with the former GM Evan Pappas. He cared about the bottom line and the bottom line only. He went through several news directors before he found his yes man in Ryan Hazelwood.
For the past few years, since Ryan Hazelwood took the reigns, it’s been a downward spiral of negativity, toxicity, and straight up bullying.
Since Scripps bought us, he has been doing all he can to kiss the asses of Scripps’ corporate leaders and let them know he’ll do anything they say, even if it comes at the expense of his employees.
As long as Ryan Hazelwood is in charge of this place, I would recommend staying well clear of here.
And others have taken note of this. In just the last six months or we have lost:
-Two producers who didn’t even make it a year
-Two digital reporters who barely made it a year
-Three reporters, one who made it a little over a year, one who made it a little less than a year, one who finished out their contract and left.
-An EP who only made it a little over a year in that role
-A fantastic photog who had only been here a couple years
-Our beloved main anchor who management stabbed in the back and replaced with a washed up former anchor of another station in town who was not anymore well known than our (much better) anchor that they pushed out.
Of all those people, only two are still in the business, and are much better off now than they were here.
The rest, understandably, have been scared off from ever taking a job in TV news again.
That’s what working at KOAA will do for you.
Congratulations Ryan Hazelwood! You’re ruining this industry by scaring off good talent, and I’m the next one to go!
Scripps, if you’re reading this, do yourself a favor and show Ryan and his cronies the door.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Stay away! Work at KRDO (they’ve gotten much better since all the negative reviews in here, they’ve totally cleaned house) or KKTV or Fox 21!
I only checked the intern box for job description because I do not want to give away what position I work, and we do not have interns in this news room, so it was a good neutral option.”
News Director: Kristen Shill
“If you love receiving constant criticism from a boss that’s never there, then this is the job for you”
While working for WQOW this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“the immense level of unprofessionalism, misplaced criticism, management laziness and lack of solid journalism ethics amongst higher-ups is astonishing.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“employees in both news and production departments have been cut in half within the last few months – and there’s a reason why. do not work for this station.”
News Director: Dan Firnbach
“No problems. Helped when needed and stayed out the of way when not”
While working for WWTV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“These reviews are laughable! It could be an overall toxic environment before this year when a lot of the toxic people were let go. Probably why they are all so angry at the new management that finally saw through their BS and are resorting to writing these fictional reviews to get even. What’s good about 2021? Bullies aren’t tolerated! The rules apply to everyone! We get told and shown we are appreciated regularly. Most everyone wants to be there and is pleasant to work with. No more walking on egg shells around a few that were ticking time bombs.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Take these reviews with a grain of salt and realize that they are likely posted by people that are disgruntled. Happy people rarely take time to write reviews. If you want to learn, work hard and feel appreciated this is a fun place to work.”
News Director: Dan Firnbach
“Great learning experience with consistent feedback”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This site is total garbage! All it does is give the toxic people that finally got what was coming to them another outlet to complain and make up total lies. Is it perfect? Nope, but it is obvious everyone is trying their best from co-workers to management. When things do go wrong or can be improved most of the time they listen and work with you to reach a solution.
I have worked here for awhile now and I can tell you things are WAY better the last year than they used to be. It’s nice to work for a news director that shows gratitude and genuinely cares about his people.
The hr manager is fair and consistent which is probably why the ones that mess around and do stupid things don’t like her.
The coo is relatively new, so I haven’t interacted with him a whole lot. He seems cool and says hello to everyone by name when he sees them though.
Bottom line: Don’t believe everything you read on the internet.”
News Director: Tom Henderson (now retired)
“I like him. I think he is a genuine, caring person.”
While working for WTVC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“It has come to my attention that a recent review for this station have many people who work there think it has come from me — as I have received numerous messages about it.
While it did not come from me, this gossip (and false assumption) is a good example of the “toxic environment” that a lot of the previous reviews left here reference.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“You will walk away from this station having learned, but I do agree with the other reviewers that there is lots room for improvement here.”
News Director: Melanie Standiford
“Awful. She was hired with only about of year of TV news experience. She has no clue what she’s doing and has absolutely no idea how to train. She has a really hard time admitting she’s wrong about anything when she’s wrong.”
While working for KNOP this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I would definitely do some research or contact former employees before committing to this station.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Dan Firnbach
Experience described as: “Rude, Sneaky, Doesn’t know what he’s doing”
While working for WWTV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Nobody cares what you do or wants to help you get better.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Im glad someone else said something about the human resources lady and the coo Josh Trust.
Here is a hint if you do work there. Don’t open any doors without knocking first. I opened the hr lady’s door and her and the coo were in there together and standing what i thought was a little close. They got awkward and red in the face.
A month later I was fired bc of my “negativity.” Personally I think they were doing stuff they should be at work, and they thought i caught them.
So lesson learned. Knock first.”
News Director: Greg Schieferstein
“Horrendous. I would be surprised to have gone a single day without a complaint about him or his assistant Jason. You could literally hear their conversations occurring from Greg’s office and some of things heard are truly alarming. They look at their staff life useless pawns. It has been truly sad to see young people get hired in my short time here just to lose their interest in journalism in record time. If it wasnt for contracts, this Sinclair station would have zero ability to retain talent. Everyone is unhappy, literally everyone, and if they arent — give it time or the first second they try to speak up and have an idea.”
While working for KRNV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The above mostly covers it, but I know this is a starter station and I cant even imagine how disappointed people must be to come here and think this is how news is. Its a tough job already, but Greg and Jason really team up perfectly to make getting underpaid and under appreciated feel like the least of their dissatisfaction. The goal of Greg seems to be hitting the nail the same way until the hammer breaks, then blame the nail and then finding a new nail for it to happen again all while using the same now broken hammer. Nothing changes there. This station has seen covid outbreaks where Greg has tried to get people to come into work while sick because he cant hire or retain people enough to afford people being sick, the station is currently under a cyberattack but Greg and Jason still expect everything to run as normal, and the station is somehow dead last with the most corporate financial support out of the 3 stations. Whats even more shocking is the TALENT the station has. Its the people who wear many hats, bound by contract, that literally hold the station together. Ive seen people there that literally have Market 10 and lower ability and zero respect to their flexibility during everything. This is the kind of news station that is a lawsuit waiting to happen.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“There are great people here. Dont get me wrong. I just hope one day a ND can sit with those people and hear them. Theres lots of good ideas, but a horrible couple of listeners. I believe Gregs only goal everyday is to keep his job rather than grow the station.”
News Director: Eric Walters
Experience described as: “Terrible. Eric Walters is atrocious.”
While working for WDBJ this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment
“Eric Walters hires people for their looks, so they’ll be forced to pay attention to him. He has no actual management skills, other than looking for physical talent–most of whom would leave him “on read” anyway.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Eric Walters ruined this station. He doesn’t know how to manage, nor does he care. He is incapable of dealing with different personalities, and doesn’t have what it takes to be a leader. He doesn’t care about people–only whatever makes him look “cool” for his Twitter followers.”
News Director: Tim Klutsartis
Experience described as: “Nice guy, approachable, but lacks any power beyond editorial control.”
While working for WBBH this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management creates a chaotically competitive environment that burns people out. Employees have been pinned against each other for promotions and management takes joy in fanning exceedingly petty drama with other stations in the market.
Upper management will go out of its way to highlight the short comings of the competitor in ratings while simultaneously ignoring why the newsroom morale is at an all time low as the station hemorrhages employees. Ratings are king, but bringing in “record books” for the station during sweeps is never reflected in compensation and ratings bonuses are being phased out.
Management touts the station as one that operates at the level of a top 20 market, but regularly advertises itself as “WatermanU” – essentially treating employees like they’re fresh out of college. This station continues to pay its reporters, weekend anchors, and producers unsustainable wages even as the cost of living in the area has doubled in recent years. The staff continues to carry the station to record high numbers while being paid in sunshine.
Finally – the station lives and dies by what Magid consultants say. Upper management is in bed with them and if you don’t serve as a yes man to everything the consultants want, you’ll be out the door at the end of your deal.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Don’t even get me started on middle management.”
While working for KGBT/KVEO this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This place is an absolute train wreck. By far the most dysfunctional work environment I have ever been a part of. The recent ND just left, so I won’t comment on her impact on the newsroom – outside of the fact favorites were always promoted internally whether they deserved it or not. One MMJ was caught forging soundbites in stories, yet he somehow a few months later was promoted to main anchor. There is not a single person in the newsroom outside of the assistant nd/chief met that is over the age of thirty, and you can tell by the behavior after management is gone for the day. There’s more nerf gun wars than quality news content produced. Literally everything breaks all the time. Whether it’s a camera, or the server crashing for the 5th time that month – your hard work can easily go in the trash because of how haphazardly Nexstar pieced this duopoly together during the buyout. Countless people have broken contract recently to escape from this hell hole. Avoid at all costs.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Don’t work here. It’s not worth your sanity”
News Director: Ernesto Romero
Experience described as: “Not helpful.”
While working for KYMA/KSWT/KECY this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“They’ll overwork you, you’re undervalued and underpaid. There are great stories in this market but you won’t have much guidance.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Renee Nygren
Experience described as: “Incompetent and insecure. She has no business running a newsroom.”
While working for KVLY this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The General Manager and News Director are wholly incompetent and at times downright cruel to newsroom employees. There’s a reason why they haven’t hired a producer in well over a year. They also gave an open white supremacist and COVID conspiracy theorist a platform for well over a decade, hurting the reputation of the newsroom.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Gray Television exists solely to underpay and overwork recent college grads until they get burnt out and leave the industry entirely… and then management wonders why there’s no one left to take on leadership positions in their newsrooms. Benefits are the bare minimum and are being gutted with each passing moment.
Management loves to talk about opportunities within Gray, and how the company wants to keep and build talent, while refusing transfers and LYING to our faces about it. Management expects you to empathize with them about staffing issues and sacrifice more of your time… while firing multiple hardworking people for basically no reason. There are probably some well-run Gray stations, but Valley News Live is an absolute joke.
The bottom line is you will get paid basically nothing to do extremely difficult work, with no guidance from management, all while getting trashed by the community.”
News Director: Jenna Huff
Experience described as: “Maddening”
While working for WANE this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Only writing this so anyone thinking about working here will strongly reconsider. Working for Jenna Huff is like trying to hit a moving target. She’s confusing and hard to work for. She’s moody, will play mind games and talk about employees to other employees.
Jenna’s been here for 14 months and since then 14 employees have left. No idea how that fact alone doesn’t raise red flags with upper management. Everyone in the newsroom is beyond miserable.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Bryan Queen
Experience described as: “Absolutely awful”
While working for WHP this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This station is miserable. Our news director openly favors men, regularly berates his staff, and is generally not a good person. If you’re looking at this review because you’re considering coming here, don’t do it. I haven’t been here that long and I’m actively searching for a new job. You’ll be overworked and underpaid and regularly treated like garbage. Don’t do this to yourself.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Avoid this station at all costs. If there is a change in leadership, this station might be manageable. But while Bryan Queen is here, it should be avoided at all costs.”
News Director: Dan Firnbach
Experience described as: “Terrible. Has no idea what he’s doing.”
While working for WWTV this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The news director, Dan Firnbach, and Assistant News Director, Bill Froehlich, have no respect for females in this business. A lot of ‘mansplaining’ and talking down to female subordinates.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Where to begin.
Let’s start at upper management. Nobody has any experience in news. Every single person in charge, is a businessman. The total focus is on lining the pockets of upper management.
If you come to work in the news department, you will have no support. The people that are supposed to support you (news director, HR director) seem to work together against their employees.
The HR Director, Leslie Nowlin, has no respect or care for any of the employees. She does what is best for upper management, not for the employees who need her support. Somehow, she has a great deal of power, that no HR Director should have. Possibly because she is obviously having an affair with the recently hired COO, Josh Trust.
Moving down the line, closer to the newsroom, you get to the newly hired ND Dan Firnbach, and assistant ND Bill Froehlich.
Clearly both in way over their heads. Why were they hired?
Dan spent over a year trying to undermine and backstab his News Director, Sean Mahon, until he was eventually let go. Now he’s been promoted to the ND job because he is a weak puppet that does whatever upper management wants him to do. Bill Froehlich, he was just the only one stupid enough to accept the assistant news director job, because so many others had already passed on it. Partially because, in an effort to cut costs, they combined the positions of Assistant ND and Assignment Editor into one, and then ate the salary of the assignment editor, asking the new assistant ND to do 2 jobs, at about a 40k discount. And partially because nobody in their right mind wanted to work under the conniving Dan Firnbach.
Finally, we’ll get to the employees in the newsroom. Some of them are really decent workers and very friendly. However, there are a few that watch your every move and as soon as you do something they don’t like, will run to the news director or HR Director. They are the little spies for upper management. If you manage to avoid pissing off these sketchy veterans, don’t forget that you’ll be terribly overworked due to the lack of staffing. Reporters you will be told that you will get to be with a photojournalist every day. Don’t believe it. They only have a handful of photojournalists, and even less that are any good. And the good ones will go with the people that have been there longer. You will likely be asked to go out on your own and MMJ, with no support from your ND and Assignment ND, because again, they are in way over their heads and have no idea how to develop talent.
If you are looking for a job in the industry, stay away from 9&10. They are a sinking ship with no one at the wheel.”
News Director: Denisha Thomas
“Wonderful! She and the rest of management have an open-door policy.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“WATN/WLMT is a very positive newsroom.
I have been working for this station for a few months and I LOVE the creative control I have over my work.
Since this station has rolled out its rebrand, there have been several changes in both the on-air and digital products.
This station has a ton of potential ahead to stand out from the competition and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”
News Director: Shane Moreland
Experience described as: “Worst news director ever”
While working for WRIC this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Shane Moreland is the type of news director who will talk down to you, put his hand on you, discuss other employees behind their back and someone who goes back on his promises. Shane often hires from the outside instead of promoting from within, causing those people to leave and find new jobs. He’ll make promises to keep people happy then go back on his word. His judgement of news is laughable and it shows in the ratings. Sports is also a disaster with minimal local coverage and it’s led by a sports director Shane hired who cannot fulfill the job requirements. Shane is also known for hiring or not hiring someone based on their looks or race. He has been heard criticizing employee outfits and hair styles.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Nexstar is running the station into the ground because of bad leadership from VP/GM Larry Cottrill to Shane Moreland. Staff turnover is high and that will continue with both of them in that building. WRIC only promotes select anchors and reporters. This station has gone from respected on-air and behind the scenes employees to a revolving door.”
News Director: Jerry Howard
Experience described as: “Kind, open to hearing ideas”
While working for KDRV this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Very toxic work environment in the newsroom. No one is happy and they are SEVERELY understaffed.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Jessie O’Neill
Experience described as: “Poor, passive aggressive, demeaning”
While working for KOAT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“You will blamed for everything. EP’s do whatever they feel like and the rest take the fall. He will bully you into resigning yet destroy you in your review. The word is out. He complains he can’t hire yet he’s the reason and the other managers . Rest of newsroom a nice group.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Yeah if you want to be in this market , look at 13. They’re on top of it . Good desk while we miss BIG stories. Very little experience here. Everyone looking to get out. The GM ignores heartfelt concerns. Our ND has managed to bully the few good producers we’ve had and fire them or they quit. GM never thinks this is odd?
As for the Asst Nd she
Hasn’t shown up to work for a month for medical reasons, yet showed up last night at our Emmy party to collect hers . Well enough for that . And oh. She takes credit for everything so be prepared for that too .
A young reporter in the newsroom was torn apart by Melissa last month. How about coaching ? Nope. Look elsewhere”
News Director: Shauna Ziegler
Experience described as: “Awful, she chooses her favorites and is uninvolved”
While working for KFOX14/CBS4 this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Avoid this station at all costs, it’s toxic and has led several people to have serious mental health issues because of how they treat you. Schedule changes are constant and without notice. You will be asked to work OT without being paid for it.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Shauna Ziegler
While working for KFOX14/CBS4 this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I have never worked in a more toxic enviorment, it was like being back in high school all over again. Some fellow coworkers were nasty and rude and would talk behind your back. Everyday someone would be in tears because of someone else. I was in a constant state of anxiety and treated horribly by a male executive producer.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you’re looking to work at a TV station please do not work here. They will break you and make you cry and if you don’t fit into the mold they have you, your life will be terrible there.”
News Director: Shauna Ziegler
“not involved in the station at all- the assignment desk runs the show and makes all reporters cry on a regular basis”
While working for KFOX14 & CBS4 this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Shauna Ziegler
Experience described as: “Fantastic”
While working for KFOX14/CBS4 this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment
“Some of the men there would make lewd comments”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational
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: Diane Irving
Experience described as: “Caring & compassionate, knows her stuff”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This newsroom has been in operation for three years, yet still operates like it’s a start-up. Reporters don’t have to chase fires & ambulances & murders, so they can work on actual good pieces (both enterprise & day of), but the method & style Spectrum uses can feel convoluted at times. There is next to no proper training for any position, so it’s often on the fellow producers & on-air people to train based off what they know, and not from any official company policy. There are too many managers, stuck in too many meetings every day, so often they have no clue of what’s going on, even if they say otherwise. Staff is friendly, works hard & wants to do well, though too often is stressed due to workflow issues, numerous failures in the newsroom production system. Turnover remains relatively low, though all these issues & more keeps it unclear whether that will stay true.”
News Director: Brad Kessie
“Brad can be tough but is a good teacher. He is very passionate about news and the product that goes on the air.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“This is a “starter market” but the pay matches many mid-markets. It’s a good learning environment, and you will learn good journalistic values, ethics, and integrity.”
News Director: Julie Szulczewski
“Julie is the type of manager that will throw any and everyone under a bus if it makes her look better. She has no vision for the newsroom, poor news judgement, and terrible people management skills. She makes disparaging remarks about employees and calls it a joke.”
While working for WAFF this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Disrespect comes from the top down. Julie does a terrible job leading by example. She doesn’t respect her employees or appreciate the work any of them put in. She berates some of the people who work the hardest, and will sometimes do it in front of everyone and in the middle of meetings.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Where to start? This station would be better run by literally anyone else. If you want to work for a manager who demands respect and acts like a moody teenager, this is the place for you.”
News Director: Steve Hyvonen
“He told me to keep my head down and mouth shut and I’d get ahead in “the business” he also told me digital was not an important job because everything was “trending toward TV and away from digital.” If you aren’t an anchor he doesn’t care about you and frequently pits reporters against one another and participates in station gossip to control the narrative. He also allows his managers to run amuck and turned a blind eye to sexual harassment, bullying, and racism.”
While working for WXIX this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management level employees regularly sexually harassed female employees while upper management turned a blind eye. Managers regularly participate in station gossip to control the narrative floating around the station. They also pit employees against one another. Managers frequently bully lower level employees and allow other employees to bully each other. If you try to go to HR, managers will pull you into their office, deny everything, and threaten your job safety.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you speak up and try to enact change toward a more positive work environment (reporting bullying, harassment, sexual harassment, discrimination) upper management will silence you by telling you it’s their word against yours and no one will believe you.”
News Director: Tracy Davis
“Shes green and easily influenced in her decision making”
While working for WVIT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“There are inexperienced people in positions of management that should not be there. Specifically an EP, managing editor as well as a few other people that have “risen to power” in between massive ND and GM upheavles over the years – a lot of uneducated chiefs and not enough i dians ( can we still say that??)”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Run from this o and o it has been turned i to a training ground for wanna lbe management ( even the current gm is a creative services director turned gm.. what? “
News Director: Chad Mahoney
“Chad Mahoney is a literal dictator and sociopath. He regularly tells his employees seeking to get the heck out from under his rein that they are “not ready” to move on when in fact they are! And most likely, they NEED to get away from working for him for their mental health. It’s like being in a relationship with an abusive partner who repeatedly tells you that you’re not good enough or won’t find anyone better. It’s so sad. I don’t know how this man still has a job after the way he repeatedly treats his employees. He is so controlling and just the worst person.”
While working for WGEM this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The absolute worst place I have ever worked. Chad M is demeaning, petty, demoralizing, and overall just a yucky person who quite literally gets pleasure in other people’s pain. He’s twisted.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Do not work here unless you want your mental health to suffer (three employees have recently left citing mental health), you want to be controlled and run out of the business. It’s so sad that this many employees can up and leave and leave these reviews and Gray does NOTHING.”
News Director: Rob Taylor
“Rob recently came to WFFF/WVNY a few months ago. The previous news director was a mess and MIA. Rob came in week one of the job making changes for the better. So far I am very happy with the change.”
While working for WVNY/WFFF this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“At times the newsroom can be a toxic place… we have a variety of individuals working at the station who have worked at the station for over 10 years to people fresh out of college. A lot of the veteran anchors/reporters voice their opinions and at times make you feel like the smallest person in the world. With the previous ND, there were favorites and when you had private conversations about something or someone… they would get word of it from him. It can be VERY gossipy if you allow yourself to fall into the toxic trap. ON A GOOD NOTE…. I have been able to grow. It did NOT COME EASY…. let me tell you.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I would describe the newsroom as unorganized chaos.”
News Director: Greg Schieferstein
Experience described as: “Toxic”
While working for KRNV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Greg tells many lies, gaslights in order to get his way, avoids serious issues, and refuses to listen to anything outside what he believes. He is arrogant, manipulative, and a terrible manager.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Greg Schieferstein does not need to be a manager, let alone the news director. He is the most toxic employer I have ever worked for. HR does nothing about him. They are corrupt as well. Do not work here. If you want to work in Reno, work for Channel 2 or KOLO. At least until Greg is gone. Not to mention he makes very inappropriate comments towards women, many of which cried in response to his remarks. Avoid at all costs. This is not a healthy introduction to journalism”
News Director: Jim Campagna
“I didn’t really have an issue with Jim as a person. As a manager I found him completely incompetent and unprofessional. He had no problems getting into screaming matches with his EP or running into the control room to scream about anything ranging from a problem he had with the stacking of a show to a minor technical problem.”
While working for WSYR this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The newsroom was an absolute mess. The News Director didn’t like making decisions and when he did it seemed more like a rambling stream of consciousness rather than an actual plan. New producers were trained very minimally and it seemed they were just thrown into the fire. Certain reporters were given way too much slack to screw up, others were criticized for every little mistake they made. The only reason this station is still #1 is due to lack of competition and a number of talented people who are somehow keeping the ship afloat.
I worked in production. I’m going to keep my criticisms of it to a minimum as my former boss (the operations manager) is about to leave the station, so the criticisms of him will soon be outdated. I will say that the biggest issue facing production is the amount of dead weight. There are a handful of people who have been there 20+ years, that make constant mistakes (but never admit to them), and have no problems throwing other people under the bus to make themselves look better. Part-timers are usually treated like garbage. They were usually barely making over minimum wage, scheduled horribly and had little to no protections by the union.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Like most Nexstar stations the pay was low and the morale was lower. Important note: it’s a union shop. Union negotiations are particularly nasty. During the last negotiation in 2018 a regional manager reportedly said regarding the low pay: “if they can’t live on this, they should work somewhere else” and “it’s not indentured servitude.” Those quotes certainly helped the already low morale at the station. The negotiation ended with the union threatening to go on strike and Nexstar settling for a “loss” by giving employees a whopping 2 percent raise spread out over 4 years, and a $500 bonus that was already given to non-union stations.
I do want to add that there are a lot of good people to learn from at WSYR. The station has a number of veteran photographers that are great to work with and learn from. The chief editor is amazing as well, and she can teach you a lot about editing. The producers were (for the most part) the usual revolving door recent college graduates, some good… some not so good. As for production, some of the people can be helpful, but the department has its fair share of people who confuse experience with knowledge and competence.
If you do decide to work here, only go there to learn. Take all criticisms from management at face value, lay low and once you reach your ceiling, start looking elsewhere.”
News Director: Janis Harper
Experience described as: “Disappointing”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The News Director, Janis Harper, was hired as part of the leadership team to go to Anchorage, Alaska to turn KTVA 11 News around. Ratings did not improve after several years and the station went out of business in July of 2020, shortly after Janis left for her new job in Wisconsin. Under her leadership, I experienced poor communication and a high level of frustration in the newsroom.”
News Director: Greg Phillips
Experience described as: “Absolutely wonderful”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“I was part of the March 2021 Sinclair layoffs, which I can honestly say was THE BEST thing to ever happen to me.
I have been working for WMC (Gray) ever since and I have never been happier at a job than I am here.
For the first time, I truly feel APPRECIATED and that my talents and skills do not go unnoticed. And they are actually utilized in ways they should be.
I have received numerous emails/comments from management (ND and GM) saying they are PROUD of me and my work. Such a “small” act goes a long way and can boost employee morale to new levels. It’s really that simple, Managers.
I love the creative control I have over my work. I love my co-workers.
Everyone has been so kind and welcoming. I love it here.”
News Director: Jeff Schlesser
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“First and foremost, I want to say I don’t regret working at WWSB; only because I gained a wealth of knowledge from being there for two years. Overall, the station has a rough and tumble attitude. Not positive, but not negative either. The majority of people there are hard workers and a joy to be around. If I learned anything, it was thanks to all the great producers and reporters. I can’t say the same about management. An employee should not be scolded for not being able to fill in on weekends, when an on call schedule does not exist. Producers were often overworked and given more responsibility than one person can handle. Although I believe it’s important that station employees work together and form strong bonds, I resent the use of the word “family.” During my time at WWSB I was often told to “do it for the family!” or “consider the family.” A news station is not a family. It is a business. As for WWSB’s news director, Jeff Schlesser, he was always very nice until you did something he didn’t like. To Jeff, I have one thing to say: I know you are dealing with a lot of red tape and managing a station can not be easy. But when the going gets tough, don’t take it out on your employees. It’s confusing and it won’t make them stay. To anyone thinking about working at WWSB: don’t stay there too long. You’ll forget why you wanted to work in journalism in the first place.”
News Director: Tom Henderson
Experience described as: “Overall, fine — if you’re a favorite.”
While working for WTVC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I can’t believe this station is still standing, honestly. This newsroom is so disorganized — especially since those in management are people that really shouldn’t be.
Right off the bat, there’s Tom’s pet: “Managing Editor” Latricia Milburn (or maybe Tom is HER pet? It’s hard to tell most days). She may come off as caring and nice at first, but don’t be fooled. She is a bitter, rude, and miserable human being who will make you hate your job. Numerous reporters have broken their contracts this year (2021), mainly citing Latricia as the reason why — she kills your spirit and love for journalism to the point you never want to do it again. And we’re talking about reporters who (unfortunately) landed at WTVC for their first job out of college. It’s very sad. As far as her job “duties,” she sits at her desk all day long doing… nothing??? She’s a managing editor, which means she has to approve scripts — and those don’t come in until the afternoon, so between 10am (and after the morning meeting) and 3pm, she just browses the internet and gossips about everyone (openly) with Assignment Manager Shannen Sharpe (more in her later). Another thing about Latricia is when she’s “approving” your script, she’s actually rewording things the way SHE writes / speaks, rather than the way you, the reporter does. Sometimes her rewordings make the story incorrect/infactual — because, again, she doesn’t work for a majority of the day until it’s her time to shine on “the Latricia show” for the 5/6pm news. Additionally, I have called out to her in the newsroom numerous times for help. “Hey, Latricia…” and I get no response or acknowledgment of any kind. I sat 10 feet from her, there’s no way she didn’t hear me. Last thing I’ll mention about Latricia is how fake and insincere is becoming on social media. She is now tweeting “great job,” “so glad you’re on our team,” etc tweets to reporters because there’s new ND (named Phil Bueler — yikes, have your read HIS reviews on this site??) and somewhat new GM who are well aware of these reviews and she is possibly afraid of them now that her protector Tom isn’t around, I’m assuming.
Now to Shannen Sharpe, Assignment Manager. She is RUDE and overall an unpleasant person to engage with at all. She got promoted to a management role only because she’s Latricia’s favorite and pretty much anything Latricia says (to Tom, at the time) goes. Shannen does not handle stress well, and honestly, she often makes high pressure situations worse. The station has had numerous power outages of the past year-year and a half that have taken the station off air completely and every time she doesn’t come in for those, there’s a big sigh of relief from the newsroom. She, like Latricia, will also usually ignore you if you call out to her in the newsroom. We are all peasants, after all.
Then there’s this guy… Dan Lehr who runs the social media. He’s like, 50-something but you’d think he’s a 13-year old by reading his replies to viewers. He makes the station look like a joke TO THE GENERAL PUBLIC. I can’t tell you how embarrassed I was to even be associated with the station based on his social media posts/interactions. He’s technically a “manager,” and he definitely enjoys having “manager” in his title,” but he doesn’t actually want any of the managerial responsibilities, so if you come to him with a problem, he will give the information to another manager and have them handle it. And based on the other managers I’ve mentioned, is that really what you want? Dan also takes a million smoke breaks a day. And gets paid for them. Which is annoying because reporters rarely (if ever) get breaks to EAT.
Also, this station doesn’t pay proper salaries. This was my 2nd job and employees at Walmart and Hobby Lobby were making more than me.
Also, there HR Rep, Katie Carlson Bandy is a real Witch. She is the very last person who should be in a HR position. She routinely sends out rude emails. Me, personally, I would never take any issues to her because she genuinely doesn’t care about you problems or concerns and again, is very rude.
The GM, Todd Ricke, I do think is a nice and sincere person, overall. I think he makes strange choices though. The big request is to have a fenced parking lot for employees — there have been many threats to the station made where people say there are going to shoot up / blow up the station, etc. Police routinely get involved to “investigate.” But instead of getting a fence/gate, he is more concerned about updating the kitchen and bathrooms. And while that is a nice gesture, yes, it really shouldn’t be at the top of the list. What’s more important? Your employees safety, or a pretty kitchen?
Do. Not. Work. Here.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The weather guy Brian Smith is also a piece of work. He’s a gossip who will routinely twist and manipulate situations that benefit him / make him look like a victim, so do not trust him no matter how “nice” he may seem. He just hates when he doesn’t get his way and will infactually talk about you behind your back.”
News Director: Ryan Webb
“Terrible. Ryan can’t even look you in the eye during a regular conversation. The station can’t retain or hire new employees because his reputation for running people away is overwhelming the station.”
While working for WBTW this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Ryan Webb has been in charge during a time of gross turnover and is unwilling to hire new talent. The station needs reporters, photographers, and producers. It’s hard to hire when $25k is the yearly rate. Morale has seen a steep decline with some employees even telling Ryan Webb they are depressed and may even be suicidal because of his lack of compassion. Instead, those employees are pushed aside and encouraged to leave.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
While working for WREX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Managers do not know how to communicate with one another or the staff. There is only room for one main anchor and all other reporters and anchors are giving peanuts when it comes to resources, production, promotion, etc.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational
Additional comments:
“The bar is high here and young reporters will get the opportunity to develop into great journalists. If you want to be a producer, this is the station to be. Its a good place to start, not to stay. Everyone has a click, talks about each other behind their back, pretends to be “family.” Literally its all a lie.”
News Director: Valerie Sullivan
“Val will try to support you but when it comes to issues with other management or co-workers she won’t stand up for you. Everyone is overworked and miserable and when we bring our concerns up to her, she does not do anything but take out those frustrations on us. I feel trapped here.”
While working for WVNS this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Extremely toxic work environment. Nothing is done to address bullying & mistreatment in the office. People are afraid to bring up concerns because they will punish the person who speaks up via scheduling or story assignments.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I joined this station because I was told it was a great place to get my start, a great place to learn. The only thing I’ve learned here is why people want to leave the industry. I would look elsewhere.”
News Director: Jerry Howard
“The most incompetent and clueless leader I’ve ever worked for.”
While working for KDRV this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I wish this station would close down. It is the worst newsroom in the country. Until Mark Hatfield leaves, STAY AWAY! he is sexist, racist, and a misogynist. I am so disappointed I ever worked at this station. Please for your sanity, find another job. They complain people break their word by breaking their contract but everything they tell you in the interview is a lie. There is a group of us looking to sue for harassment, bullying, and more.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you are interested in Medford, look at the other two stations. This group doesn’t deserve you. I learned the hard way.”
News Director: Joseph Schlareth
“Terrible manager, even worse human being. Old. Outdated/out of touch. Creepy.”
While working for WFIE this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Any new reporter who was a person of color was held back and it was blatantly obvious. They were never taken seriously when an hour positions opened up (they weren’t given any kind of try out or interview). Several people openly talked about pay and the black reporters were making significantly less than white reporters. Blonde reporters who were skinny made more and had more opportunities than reporters who were not blonde and were not stick figures.
Joe continuously makes inappropriate comments to attractive reporters”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The Digital Content Manager, Jill Lyman, is also a nightmare to work with. She is very loud in the newsroom whenever she talks negatively about other employees when they are not around but acts like their best friend to their face. She straight up told me if she “could fire my ass she would.”
Anchor Jackie Monroe is fake as fuck and will run to news director to snitch on you. Her nose is so far up Joe’s ass it’s unreal. The worst part is she tries to make you think she dislikes him a lot.
There are a bunch of other people who are considered “14 lifers” there who are just the absolute worst types of people to associate yourself with.
There is absolutely zero organization in the newsroom. Too many people think they are in charge.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Aweful pay in an expensive town and state. You won’t be able to support urself.
You’ll be asked to do lots more than a normal reporter for lots less.
Avoid.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized
News Director: Jess O’Neill
Experience described as: “Toxic, draining, stressful”
While working for KOAT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you are considering the ABQ TV market, stay far away from KOAT.
That newsroom was nothing but toxic and draining. There is clear favoritism and management does nothing to hide it. People with less experience, less motivation and less drive get the great opportunities to anchor, travel, do cool stories…over the people that work their butts off every single day and ask to be included. I watched great journalists leave the station one by one, one right after the other after their concerns to the news director AND the GM went over looked.
The news judgement in the newsroom is very questionable…example: being pulled off a special project story to do live shots for a “protest” that was 10 people line dancing in the street to the ChaCha slide YES THAT REALLY HAPPENED TO A REPORTER. Not to mention, the ND told that reporter to “stay on it, things COULD get rowdy” but then changed his mind after 2 hours of nothing happening and the “protesters” leaving.
Management and EP’s are never held accountable for the crappy decisions they make and never face any consequences. It always falls on the field crew.
And let’s not gloss over the fact that your hard work will get submitted and claimed by everyone but you when it comes to awards. How would you like to see that your story was submitted and nominated for an Emmy, but the only name on the nomination is the photog…How about the assistant ND winning an Emmy for a newscast that at least a dozen people had a part in… no ones name was on the nomination but hers.
These are just some things to think about, but for choosing KOAT.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“When people leave KOAT for bigger markets, other opportunities, or other stations in the ab1 market, they seem much happier.”
News Director: Kim Wilhelm
Experience described as: “Toxic”
While working for KWCH this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you haven’t worked at the station for 5+ years, you do not get any recognition for your work, and your youthful ambition is taken advantage by doubling your workload. No resources, no appreciation.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Sarah Gray
“She acts like she cares about you, tells you what you want to hear, then backstabs everyone she knows”
While working for WISC this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Former News Director Colin Benedict is absolutely disgusting towards women. He belittles them and uses his position of power to degrade people in the ugliest ways. He’s now VP of news for the company, Morgan Murphy Media. The current News Director, Sarah Gray, is the most vile snake I’ve ever met. She pretends like she cares about your feelings and tells you that your mental health is important then talks so poorly about you behind your back and plays victim when she gets caught, only worsening people’s mental health. She only cares about the bottom line, belittles people in the newsroom, only cares about news that destroys others just so she can get ahead. So many people have left under her leadership. The General Manager, Lyle, is more focused on making sure no one can succeed after wanting to leave the station. He puts all his time and energy worrying about others and no commitment to even knowing anyone’s name or position in the newsroom.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Would absolutely never recommend working for this company. The things they do to people are truly disgusting. They drive people out of the newsroom so fast because they focus on all the wrong things. Rather than wanting people to be happy and succeed, they bring people down and then wonder why people want to leave.”
News Director: Greg Schieferstein
“Greg Schieferstein is a horrible person and a worse news director. Calls his reporters stupid and then sends them to life threatning situations alone. Truly a dangerous person to work for.”
While working for KRNV this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Racial Discrimination: Greg makes open comments about race and has even told reporters he only hired them because of their ethnicity.
Sexual Discrimination: Greg only gives certain stories to male reporters. If your a woman get ready to fight just to keep your stories.
An Overall Toxic Work Environment: Creativity is so discouraged that you will do the same thing day in and day out because anything you do out of the norm will get you a special meeting to yell at you.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“COVID-19 was treated like a joke at this station Greg Schieferstein never wears his mask right and calls people into his office and takes his mask of to yell at them. They had a COVID-19 outbreak in the station and tried to cover it up. A lot of the staff got sick and Greg never once asked it they where ok.”
News Director: Renee Nygren
“The most insecure, toxic manager I’ve ever had. Projects her own shortcomings onto you. Is just the general manager’s lap dog.”
While working for KVLY this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“General manager is a misogynist and news director is a doormat. Coworkers were generally cool and helpful, but morale is consistently low and management sets everyone up to fail. And worse, there’s no sympathy if you stumble, and no positive or even constructive feedback. The morning shows are an afterthought and that shift is just its own toxic pit of death.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The Gray Television business model is to hire young people fresh out of college, pay them next to nothing, and barely train them. And then when they inevitably get burnt out and move on, blame them for their perceived shortcomings and trash talk them for years to come. Turnover is insane and most of the current newsroom is close to quitting, but at least they got a fancy new set! smh”
News Director: David Springer
“David was great to work for until new General Manager Rhonda Lavelle came. She tries to run the newsroom even though David is more qualified than her. She tries to micromanage it all. She is obnoxious and treats people terribly.”
While working for KAAL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“New General Manager tries to micromanage the newsroom. I get it, she came from news but don’t try to micromanage a news director who has more experience and more success than she does.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Don’t work here until they get a new GM. The ND probably won’t; be here long because of the GM.”
News Director: Jennifer Dale
Experience described as: “Horrible news director, terrible leadership, everyone was afraid of her”
While working for WCSC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Managers spoke badly about other employees openly and there was never any positive feedback. Managers also picked favorites, and never helped the other people become better journalists.
Everything I learned, I learned through trial and error or my co-workers, not managers, especially not the news director.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Think twice before coming to work here”
News Director: Alison Coe
Experience described as: “Decent. Few bumps in the road.”
While working for WATE this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Reporter was banging previous news director. She remained for some time. Same reporter didn’t get along with an anchor so they went to mediation. No one is open to change. Certain people in the newsroom and in the front offices know which employees play which cards. Everyone else falls by the wayside. Vindictive. Not professional by any means u less you’re a handful of evening anchors who are truly genuine while others are just there to be on tv with their best clothes and free gifts from viewers.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Workin 9-to-5. It’s all taking and no giving. Using your mind and they never give you credit. It’s enough to dive you crazy (if you let it).”
News Director: Brit Stack
“This is the worst person I’ve ever worked for in my life!”
While working for KADN/KLAF this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Alison Coe
“Alison is very kind and understanding. Very easy to talk to. Not a yeller and doesn’t demean employees. I will say there is not a lot of feedback. You have to ask for it. She’s not always available when you need her. But overall, very nice news director.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This is a great learning market. We’re technically number 2 in the market but we’re often neck and neck with the number one station. You will have opportunities for breaking news, all sorts of meetings, and light hearted stories. Management is open to letting you try new things i.e. anchoring. If you’re a strong reporter, you’ll be rewarded with a larger work load and more responsibility. Not a lot of feedback from management. If you want constructive criticism, you have to ask for it. Main anchors are incredibly kind and helpful. No egos and are always willing to help you become a stronger reporter. The company is VERY slow to hire when someone leaves. We were often understaffed. That can be a little frustrating. BIG sports town. You will have lots of opportunities for fun college sports stories. Overall, I will say I’ve enjoyed my time here and would recommend this station to someone else.”
News Director: Tracy Davis
Experience described as: “Seems nice, just started, inherited a load of crap”
While working for WVIT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“RUN! AM EP and Assignment Desk Manager have no idea what they’re doing. Producers are the heart and soul of this business…not here! People are dropping like flies and rethinking their career choices because of how poorly Producers have been treated. Save yourself the time and stress and apply somewhere else! Opportunities for growth don’t exist here. Aggressive newsgathering doesn’t exist here. Good news judgement and neutrality do not exist here. RUN!”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Leisha Beard
“She can be understanding when she wants to, if you want to avoid conflict, stay in her good graces.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“The station is #2 in the market. Though it can be unorganized, toxic and negative, if you work hard there you can make a good jump to another market. Live shots are rare, if you want them for your reel you’re going to have to work out all the logistics. Come in knowing what you want from there and don’t get involved in any drama. There are many opportunities to fill in on the anchor desk as well.”
News Director: Lauren Weppler
“Horrible doesn’t begin to describe Lauren Weppler. She plays favorites, doesn’t address serious issues, and is very disorganized. Your PTO requests will sit for months, emails unanswered, and concerns brushed aside.”
While working for WTOL this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Our sports director called a coworker a homophobic slur on a hot mic. The recording will eventually surface as most employees have it or have heard it. He was suspended for awhile. Others had to work to pick up his slack. He posted on social media that he was on vacation during this time to save face. Management hid all of this. Can’t wait for the recording to come out. It wasn’t a slip up. This is his consistent pattern of behavior that he gets away with.
The work environment is really bad. Raises, promotions, treatment based off how much you are liked not how good you are at your job. Turnover is crazy. People leave left and right. Until new management comes in or current management take a good hard look in the mirror, this place will always be terrible. Wish I would have known before coming here.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Jaime Copley
“Jaime was very good at gaslighting, turning people against one another and manipulating people into believing things were their fault. Micromanaged everything but didn’t pay attention at the same time. Impossible to get ahold of her.”
While working for KIMT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“There’s a reason why many people have broken their contracts (with years left) in the past two years. KIMT has tried to transition into a fully Minnesota station after being the legacy station in North Iowa the past 50+ years. The only problem is that have failed to adapt to that transition.
News Director, Assistant News Director, General Manager, master control and half of sales are still in North Iowa. It took years after opening the Rochester studio for management to finally start using their offices there consistently. Still, the ND and AND are in Iowa the majority of the week, meaning if you need help with your story, you have to call them. Not a huge deal, but neither live in the primary coverage area, so they don’t know what’s going on in Minnesota half the time.
Reporters aren’t treated well, the workload is much higher than any other station. Multiple stories per day, multiple live hits on different stories throughout the day. Going live is fine, but this station goes live for the sake of going live, most times it adds nothing to the story. Safety is not much of a factor, they send reporters into dangerous protests and severe weather without a check to see if they’re fine.
Anchors/meteorologists are treated well. If you can get a job doing either, things will go well.
Sports are an after thought. The current Weekend Sports Anchor is operating as a one-man band in the middle of high school football season. They’re working her to death and expect producers to fill the time when she’s off. They ask to cover two states without the man power to get it done. ND doesn’t like sports so doesn’t understand why they’re important to the coverage area. They emphasize on storytelling and not highlights, even though a lack of presence at games is what is hurting the station’s branding. Also, they don’t promo sports, at all.
Most managerial decisions are made through corporate consultants. Consultants are helpful, but after the second and third visits with them, it’s the same old, same old.
With that said, there are also plenty of good within the station. Reporters are live every day, and get plenty of opportunities to get better on camera.
The anchors (currently) there are a wealth of knowledge and give great feedback editing scripts and storytelling.
Rochester is a great city (but expensive) to live in with great restaurants, although the bar scene died out due to Covid. Still, it’s an hour from the Twin Cities and five from Chicago.
It’s your typical starter market, there are going to be good and bad parts about it. There can be real growth in the station if management didn’t continually get in their own way.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I checked both toxic and fun because overall, reporters, anchors and producers get along with one another. Management tends to create a negative environment with their work delegated to the staff.”
News Director: Nicole Hogensen
While working for WPTV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you like covering city council and school board meetings look no further! This station has actually made me a worse photographer. My last couple weeks there I didn’t hit record one time. I came here thinking it would be a great place to work but, I was wrong.”
News Director: Jessica Bobula
Experience described as: “Miserable”
While working for WITN this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Jessica will rapidly erode your quality of life. She is straight up nasty to new reporters – not even giving them a chance to get their feet under them. She will waste an hour and a half of your day talking about nothing and then send you on your way feeling like you’ll never be good enough. Great talent has been running out of this newsroom to get away from her. She lashes out at young talent because she can’t handle herself. She pushes her own narrative into the news stories and acts like she’s better than everyone else. Incredibly disheartening.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This newsroom will make you hate news. So sad to see such talent treated how they have been since this news director took over.”
News Director: Kathryn Bonfield
“Terrible experience”
While working for WJXT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“EXTREMELY negative environment. Virtually all feedback is negative. Angry, vindictive anchors make the environment even more hellish. I LITERALLY hate coming into work every day. Absolutely zero respect given to anyone’s private life. No thought is given to employees’ family lives or personal time.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you’re thinking about coming here, don’t. Both the news director and assistant news director are EXTREMELY negative. People are routinely treated like crap, yet expected to sacrifice personal time routinely, many times, with virtually no notice. Learn to mirror before coming here as well, because if you have a different opinion, you’ll be quickly put in the doghouse. When you hear a statement end with, “don’t you think?” You’d BETTER have an answer that affirms the news director’s opinion, or else.”
News Director: Jessie O’neill
“Not my department but producers are miserable”
While working for KOAT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Finally decided to leave. Department managers treat people poorly. Producers get no real help from the exec producers and producers get blamed for everything instead of managers stepping up. That’s why producers leave constantly . EP incompetence
In production we’re all working crazy hours yet the woman married to the engineer gets to stay home for a year and a half and finally returns to the station and no longer has to do anything, She used to be a director. Now she just sends out an email maybe once a week and still gets her salary, Can someone say NEPOTISM?!
A tough place to survive. Do your research. Most staff has been there for 1 year or less. They can’t keep people. @koat7news @Hearst”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If interested in the market look at the CBS station KRQE. Solid management and an actual web department that doesn’t throw reporters under the bus. KOAT web manager makes her own hours then makes other people do her job, which is probably better anyway since the running joke is she can’t post a thing without bad spelling or bad info then emails staff to delete posts because she screwed up. again. NOONE cares.”
News Director: Morgan Shaab
Experience described as: “Caring, supportive, hard working and passionate”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This is the place to be, environment is positive. People are caring.”
News Director: Jeff Houston
“Jeff is just a terrible person overall. He takes joy in creating drama and friction between staff members and then declares how he hates all the drama. He is manipulative and also a liar. He will promise you a raise, shift change, anything to make you go away but then never deliver.”
While working for WBMA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“As I said previously, Jeff enjoys creating drama between the staff. He likes to pit everyone against each other, but no one ever wins. If you like drama this is the place to be. His new thing just before I left, was to start hiding little blue plastic ninjas all over the station for people to find. There was no explanation of why he was doing this. He would waste probably an hour or two every single day hiding and then re hiding these ninjas. Meanwhile he would forget to schedule a producer for this shift and forget to schedule a director for that shift. Always short staffed and undervalued here.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Jeff has managed to drive off some really great people. Only a handful of “old timers” are still around. Even most of them want out but can’t because they don’t want to relocate or can’t retire yet. If you go to HR and/or the GM for anything, even if you are in the right, they will immediately turn it back around on you. Low morale and lack of support from management. So glad I have moved on.”
News Director: Marc Sternfield
Experience described as: “Fun ND, team player”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Scripps is a good company and coworkers are nice. Lots to do in Utah if you like the outdoors”
News Director: Christi Reynard
“She has lots of frivolous ideas, but absolutely no follow through. Current work environment climate has significantly gone downhill since our former News Director left. Many seasoned anchors departed before or after the former News Director left because they could see this sinking ship coming from a mile away.”
While working for WKBT this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The GM is ultra conservative, and has an unusual stronghold over the newsroom. He has pushed many seasoned anchors out of their positions, and has shaken up this station- not in a positive way. It’s unfortunate how downhill this station is going. Even viewers make comments on Facebook saying things like, “where is ___?” Because a significant amount of people have left. The GM drove out the former News Director of 20+ years, and she has been replaced with a news director that has never had experience managing people. She micromanages every department. This used to be a place many people enjoyed working at, and now it’s not.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Renata Stiehl
“Can do whatever you want/ Lack of organization/ Need to be a go getter”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“After gaining trust you will be free to do stories you want but the station runs a lot of sponsored content mainly in the morning shows but also in the day time shows; this content runs on weekly and monthly bases. Advice, direction and overall communication are essentially nonesistant.”
News Director: Stephen Gallien
“Experienced, kind, fair and passionate. The newsroom is on the rise and quickly coming back from a long, hard road of past management running things into the ground. New energy, actual storytelling and something to be very proud of! If you read through the past reviews, keep in mind the entire upper Management team has changed. It’s a great culture and only getting better!”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Positive, Fun
News Director: Victoria Spechko
“Victoria is one of the best news directors to work for. She will offer fair, yet tough feedback to make you stronger as a journalist. If you have the opportunity to work for her in Savannah or Conway, you will learn a ton.”
While working for WTGS this person experienced:
“The Savannah newsroom is very cut and dry. WTGS is a good starter station, but is an entry-level newsroom. Most go there and leave after a year or two years max.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational
Additional comments:
“As the digital producer, you will have several additional tasks including assignment desk editing, making and taking phone calls for the newsroom, and other duties outside of your job title.”
News Director: Sean Mahon
Experience described as: “Good”
While working for WWTV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I worked there awhile ago but only recently found out about this site. The assistant news director, assignment editor and a couple producers and reporters (you’ll know who they are because they’ve worked there forever and don’t seem to have any motivation to grow beyond there) are the ones creating a toxic environment for literally everyone else. I know that at least the same assistant news director is still there. Anyway, a lot of manipulation and gaslighting from them. If they can’t get you to fail for real, they will literally make something up. If you’re going to work there, be very vocal when standing up to yourself because they rely on passivity and talking behind peoples backs to spread these kinds of lies to get people fired. Either that or become like them and complain a lot and make up lies, especially about the news director. (Who couldn’t be nicer by the way) The more racist and sexist, the better. You’ll be promoted in no time. I learned a lot there for my first news job, so I appreciated that. But I was constantly paranoid too.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
News Director: Chad Mahoney
While working for WGEM this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Over the course of my time at WGEM there have been many highs in this position, but just as many lows. While working here my mental health has been compromised – I have been diagnosed with anxiety and depression. I received no support from Chad Mahoney or the General Manager – both lack any sort of empathy for their “team.” My diagnoses was only worsened during the Pandemic. I felt extremely pressured to get the COVID-19 vaccine. I realize as a reporter, we are interviewing people/at events/etc. – but to feel pressured, excluded and isolated…did not lend itself well to my already deteriorating mental health.
I just feel like the leadership at this station lacks compassion for its employees. Many leaders seem to forget that leading others more than anything else should be held in reverence. Being the leader means that you have been placed in a position to serve others. Too often, the ND throws his positional weight around, and instead of leading from a place of service, leads from a place of ego when things get rough – that is not a leader and certainly not one that I want to work under.”
News Director: Josh Good
“He is petty, manipulative, and will throw anyone under the bus to save himself”
While working for WFXR this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“He constantly picked on certain people, retaliated when they reported him to human resources. The HR department is an absolute joke. Since he started, every reporter has left, broken a contract, or chosen not to renew. Management is absolutely awful. He only hires Black reporters and then treats them horribly. Management does not reflect their all minority reporting staff who are constantly being overworked and put in dangerous work situations. He gossips and brags about pushing reporters over the edge, and constantly talks down to people. Assistant News Director Thom Brewer is way worse. He’s worked at every station in the market over the past few decades and still doesn’t know how to do his job. He yells at people, and snaps at reporters, but loves cats.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Only one reporter since new management took over has stayed at the station.”
News Director: Scott Nichols
“Terrible. Talks down on anyone new to the business, never open to new ideas, will keep tabs on any petty mistakes you make and talk to you about them 6 months later.”
While working for WSET this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“With the leadership being poor, it just trickled down to the work environment. Because it’s a small market, anchors were also managers, and therefore had a terrible attitude towards a majority of MMJs. They set ridiculously high expectations and workloads and would put MMJs in sketchy situations alone while out in the field. You can’t walk around the newsroom without walking on egg shells and the pitch meetings forced MMJs to be in competition with eachother instead of collaborating together.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you have other options, go elsewhere. This station is deceiving due to its #69 market number, but it’s only that high because it’s partnered with the highly populated city of Roanoke. You’re better off at a lower market that ACTUALLY gives you room to grow, that has equipment that works, a positive work environment, and a set that’s not from 1970.”
News Director: Lisa Burger
Experience described as: “Aggressive; unapproachable”
While working for KSEE/KGPE this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“ND has favorites and doesnt hide it. If your a conservative pretty white girls you can get away with murder. Better off working at the other stations in town..they pay more too”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Station has been been losing credibility and staff since lisa arrived”
News Director: Joe Sullivan
“Overall seems nice, but can be extremely passive aggressive. My first week training, I was threatened to be fired and terminated after I failed to put in OTS GFX 15 min before the show, because I didn’t know how.”
While working for WXXV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Marybeth Jacoby
Experience described as: “Very confusing and difficult.”
While working for WVLT this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Not a diverse newsroom at all. Your feelings are not valid. No matter what you do you will feel beaten down and worthless. There is no communication or organization. They will change your schedule and your position without warning or reasoning. Very draining and toxic work environment with a very high turnover rate.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“A lot of gossip and toxic working environment. Equipment and news cars
are not organized.”
News Director: Vladimir Araya
“Bad experience. He was sleeping with one of the reporters, and used retaliation and intimidation tactics to keep employees “in line”.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“The overall newsroom was an ok environment. Excluding the ND, the rest of the employees were cordial, talented, and worked as a team. However, the station is extremely under resourced (boasts #1 ratings but had the smallest team in the market and fewer newscasts), and nobody had a set schedule (it changed every week).”
News Director: Dan Firnbach
Experience described as: “Gutless. Puppet for upper management.”
While working for WWTV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This place does not treat women or minorities with any respect.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This station is a train wreck!
Stay away at all costs.
So many people fired in the past 8 months.
The new news director is an absolute puppet with upper management pulling his strings, including a vindictive HR manager who has entirely too much power, and does not have the employees interests in mind.
The recent firings look like a complete salary dump in order to clear the books so the station can be sold.
Avoid this place!”
News Director: Mike Canan
Experience described as: “Frustrating. Has no television experience. Poor leadership skills.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“Content strategy is very confusing. Very choosy when it comes to covering crime or breaking news. Executive producers are not helpful. Schedules never released on time. Communication is minimal. Work flow is disjointed. Training and on-boarding is self-guided. Management will not help you and want you to come up with your own work flow. It’s left up to the staff to train new additions to the team.”
News Director: Ed Reams
Experience described as: “Frustrating”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational
Additional comments:
“This is the only station that I worked at in my career. I found the newsroom to be very disorganized, with a revolving door of Senior Executive Producers (we went through three in the time I worked there). The producers rarely seemed to understand the work that was put into reporting in the field. Photojournalists there are also the show editors, and are often expected to perform miracles in record times, without being paid appropriately.
The team of photogs that I worked with were an excellent team who are vastly underappreciated by most of the rest of the staff (the exception being several of the reporters), are underpaid, and are treated like the grunts of the station. Example: When the newsroom received a massive overhaul and redesign, the photogs were put in a space away from the rest of the newsroom, using old desks and not given enough space to work if we were all there (there was always one space less than photogs). It wasn’t until shortly before I left that we received our own desks and workspaces, and even then they shorted us by one.
The staff of reporters, photographers and anchors were all excellent to work with. My primary issues there were with management overall (there were some bright spots with the Assistant News Director, and the Social Media Manager).
I cannot recommend anyone working there though, as your work is likely not going to receive the recognition you deserve.”
News Director: Ryan Hazelwood
Experience described as: “Clueless, inefficient, corporate ass-kisser”
While working for KOAA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management doesn’t know how to treat people as humans.
Editorial meetings are like a demolition derby.
The Assignment Editor is large and in charge and doesn’t take dissenting opinions lightly, unless they come from someone who has worked there longer than her (which are few and far between).
Reporters are routinely told their ideas are crap… often being told to leave the meeting and come back with a “real” story idea… unless their name is Bill Folsom… he gets to do whatever he wants for some reason.
Producers have no power. If managers want a reporter to do a 2:30 package on a lemonade stand in Fountain, they make you squeeze it into your show.
Also all the stories are fluff. If you want to do serious news this is absolutely not your place. At one point, the ND banned PIOs from being interviewed. Needless to say that didn’t last.
They don’t recognize talent. The two most recent producers hired lasted less than a year. Both got jobs outside of news after they left.
They drove out one of the most talented reporters I’ve ever met after he was only here a year, and currently treat our other most talented reporter like garbage.
They don’t give two shits if you’re good at your job. If you don’t fall in line with their BS, you’re on their shit list.
There is no way that 7/20 “review” was submitted by a current KOAA reporter or producer.
We all talk and none of us feel that giddy about this place.
That “review” could not be more inaccurate and I want people to understand that it was probably written by management.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I think the toxicity all started from the top with the old GM who just got promoted within Scripps. Time will tell if things can get better under the new one, but I think as long as the ND and Assignment Editor are who they are things will only get worse. Especially since the new GM has already worked at the station for years (he used to be head of sales).
The AND is new and to be honest I don’t really have much to say about her either way. She seems like she’s still trying to find her place and just defers to the ND.
There are some bright spots. The recently-promoted EP is a nice guy who is open to giving you constructive feedback and actually has producing experience to know what he’s talking about. He pretty much sticks to working with the producers. He knows his place and doesn’t bother trying to manage people he doesn’t have the expertise to manage.
Digital director is an all around great guy who tries to stay out of the toxicity too.
The producers and MMJs are all awesome people and so are the anchors, but they’re dropping like flies.”
News Director: Zoltan Csanyi-Salcedo
“Gives feedback when asked, if you’re doing a good job you won’t hear much from him.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational
News Director: Keith Blivin
Experience described as: “Absolutely awful”
While working for KTIV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Sexual harassment was from an employee in a different department. Once *several* women shared their stories the individual was let go immediately. Five years too late but… better than never.
Overall toxic work environment is felt by everyone in the news department. Morale is SO LOW. The leadership is just straight mean.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The team is awesome. People are kind, helpful, and genuinely good. Leadership is a different story. The ND and GM are absolutely terrible a their jobs, but also just make people feel like trash. No one feels valued. You’ll give 110% and it still won’t be enough. They will not give anyone benefit of the doubt and just assume the worst in you. If you want feel like you’re a worthless piece of garbage, start here. If you want a work environment to grow you and invest in your potential… go literally anywhere else. Hope the station gets better once Gray takes over.”
News Director: Allison Smith
Experience described as: “Not good, awkward and confusing.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I hate my life at this station. The EP is rude and disrespectful. The news director changed her demeanor about me when I started. She has favorites and so does the EP. Be careful before you apply here. The AND told me I had to be pretty in order to be an anchor. It is not a welcoming environment. My life as a reporter/MMJ is miserable and can’t wait until my contract is over.”
News Director: Stephen Gallien
“Stephen was just hired about 8 months and has proven to be a strong leader and fair manager. He knows good talent and how to foster it. He does have high standards and wants us to “win”. I would not have stayed at this station unless it was for Stephen.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“There are still flaws in the newsroom but things have improved. If you are a hard worker and want to get better at your craft, you will have the opportunity to do that here. There are a lot of talented people who want to be better and right now the station is very much in a ‘transitional’ phase. I think in a few years, it will really start to climb back up in ratings. Side note – the building is disgusting but we have been told we actually will be getting a new building. However, that could take years.”
News Director: Mr. Joseph Inderhees
Experience described as: “Truthfully speaking, a pain in the…”
While working for WTLV/WJXX this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Overall the experience I had in my short term of working with FCN was atrocious from the constant telephone calls on days off. He as well as other managers do not respect personal time off as though your entire life revolves around news in relation to be a 24/7 on call doctor for child birth or surgery. FAIR WARNING: STAY AWAY FROM THIS PLACE!”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Run for the hills and I mean FAST! The reviews don’t lie, no one has your back at this place besides you. There were a couple to fair amount of good people in the newsroom to uplift you when things get rough but they are just as toxic as managers with their cattiness and gossip girl ways. Once I found my new company and a real news family that understands we have real things going on in our personal lives that we can’t be consumed with news ALL DAY especially when it doesn’t affect your culture or household… ponder on that!”
News Director: Vladimir Araya
“He is incompetent and takes things personally”
While working for Univision 21 this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Vladimir Araya was sleeping with one of the reporters at the station. (she quit and later openly dated him). He intimidated reporters with threats of final warnings over minuscule infractions like being late 15 minutes one day.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Don’t work here unless you’re desperate. This station likes to position itself as the news leader in the Central Valley, but really it had no resources (only station in town that had no photogs for reporters) and always copies the Fresno Bee and ABC30.”
News Director: Kyle Brinkman
“He does choose favorites. The newsroom isn’t the greatest when it comes to morale. His choices are at times sexist, always knee-jerk”
While working for WSPA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Over the last two years of working here, Kyle is a new News Director that has let this station fail. Hiring inexperienced reporters and producers for this level market forces those with experience to work harder and pick up the ever building slack. Professionally this man is terrible at his job, but he’s generally a nice person.
My advice, if you do end up working here, get what you need from this station and get out. Be on your p’s and q’s about your work and you’ll be appreciated/respected by your colleagues and more senior producers who appreciate good work.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“Once a change in management happens, things should improve. Ratings across the board show these teams have potential, it’s just management fails to have focus.”
News Director: Sean Vanhaus
“He was abusive and on many occasions blatantly disregarded his reports and staff.”
While working for KFDA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“When making a report about situations happening in the news room, our HR would then go to my news director that I was having issues with. Then I would be called into his office to be “spoken with” which was him shaming me as an employee.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The GM, News Director and HR person grew up together and have a close personal relationship. You will always be wrong if something comes up.”
News Director: Lauren Weppler
“Lauren is unorganized, sneaky and an instigator. If you speak up for yourself she will begin keeping tabs on you and start putting things into writing to build a paper trail against you to get you fired.”
While working for WTOL this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Very unhappy and unpleasant place to work unless management favorites you. Lauren likes to change employee’s schedules without any thought or concern to their lives. Reporters are overworked and the newsroom is filled with mean and crass producers. One producer in particular loved to send nasty emails to the news director to complain about absolute nothing because she simply doesn’t like you. Andrew Asks (assistant news director) doesn’t help. He appears to be nice but like Lauren is sneaky and can’t be trusted. Turnover is very high here for a reason. Find a better place to work.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Don’t work here if you have other options. If you speak up for yourself in any way you will be punished. Professionals who have a high standard and care about their work will be disappointed. Few opportunities to grow.”
News Director: Ryan Hazelwood
Experience described as: “Encouraging, helpful, and challenging (in a good way)”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Wow. I have worked at KOAA and other stations and I have been very fortunate. KOAA is outstanding. The culture is supportive. People including coworkers and management care about me as a person. There are a lot of charges issued in the last post that are unfair, malicious, and simply untrue. There is a phrase, “there are two sides to every story.” In this case the two sides are truth and fiction.”
News Director: Jess Laszewski
Experience described as: “Chaotic, disorganized, micro-managing — but cares a lot and has good intentions.”
While working for WMTV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The assignment editor has a very short fuse and can be combative and dismissive. Frequently talks down to women in the newsroom, particularly young women. Outright mean to reporters and is casually racist. He sets a sour tone, coupled with micro-managing news director with respect for other peoples’ time.. can be very tense/chaotic/toxic on the dayside and nightside shift. But it’s not all bad all the time.. morning shift especially has lots of fun and a very positive vibe, since they don’t work directly with problematic managers.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Open to Creative Control, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“At this station, you will get out what you put in. It is not for the faint of heart — the training is very bad, planning is very last-minute, and many of the managers are miserable to work with. BUT if you are passionate about news and determined to “make it work,” this station provides ample opportunity for really strong, advanced experiences that in larger markets are typically reserved for more senior staff. Lots of opportunity for growth within the station. ND puts a high priority on helping you advance your career. We also do a lot of great work fundraising for our community, which is really fun to be a part of. The staff is a good mix of young and fun/older and experienced. ND is open to trying new ideas and wants to be an industry innovator. That energy is fun to be around, when she’s not nit-picking you to death or re-stacking your rundown 15 minutes to show…”
News Director: Amy Sullivan
“She plays favorites, is an incompetent ND, is rude and crass, and will throw you under the bus if she needs to”
While working for KGBT/KVEO this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Where do you even start with this place? The turnover is ridiculous and it’s for a reason. They once had 15 people leave in a single year. If you notice, they’re always posting new job listings because they can’t keep anyone.
The ND and the AND are thick as thieves and will have 0 problem throwing you under the bus if it means saving themselves. When the merger with KVEO was first announced, the ND would walk out of the building mid-show and tell everyone to deal with whatever mishap of the day was going on on their own because she initially thought management was getting the boot. When that didn’t happen, her attitude changed and she was suddenly the “fearless leader” again. Let’s make one thing clear, she’s not a leader, she’s just someone who sits at the big desk and gets cut the check every two weeks.
If management does not like you, you have no shot at moving up – no matter what your work, prescence, personality, is like. They have and continue to give every available opportunity to reporters that also played a role in bullying in the newsroom and no one else. Management (though they hire newly graduated journalism students) refuses to teach reporters/photographers/anchors the tricks of the trade – you’ll either sink or swim of your own doing – and if they don’t want to deal with you, say hello to the morning show: the home of the KVEO rejects.
Management (including the EP and the Assignment’s Desk Editor) would have meetings in the ND’s office and discuss personal grievances, issues, and NSFW things regarding their employees with the DOOR OPEN. Morale was low when I left and it’s only gotten worse with the duoply.
Reporters who no longer work at this station were blamed for the toxic work environment because the ND and AND refuse to take responsibility for the newsroom they’ve created. Their main anchor has probably been there around 4-5 years now and he’s a senior compared to the rest. The only one who’s seemingly lasted is their meterologist – the rest are newbies that the community will never really get to know because of the revolving door that leads in and out of KVEO (formerly KGBT-TV).
Run as fast as you can from this station. It’s not worth your mental health. If you needed one more thing to convince you not to sign that contract, know that the Assistant News Director has a history of gossiping with colleagues about other employees, once asked who was sleeping with whom, and has raging tantrums in the newsroom with consistent outbursts about how “stupid” everyone is. DO NOT WORK HERE.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Ryan Hazelwood
Experience described as: “Toxic, abusive, manipulative, liar, empty promises, inept”
While working for KOAA this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you are unfortunate enough to find yourself considering working for KOAA… RUN, do not walk, to your nearest emergency exit.
Basically back in February or March the ND, AND and Assigment Editor managers were like “pandemic’s over no more zoom interviews. All interviews have to be done in person.”
They said this, despite the fact none of us had been vaccinated yet, and we still weren’t allowed to work in our building. (Fun fact: I never worked a day in our building)
I told them unless they could make it as easy as possible for us to get the vaccine (give us PTO to go get it), I would still be doing zoom interviews when I felt it would be safest to do so.
They told me basically to suck it up, and do in-person interviews, and if I wanted a vaccine, I’d have to get it during one of my shifts or an off day. Well the second dose fell to where I’d have to get it on a day I worked, and I flat out told them I’m not going to turn a full story today and still take two hours to go get my vaccine that will in turn make me feel like shit all day.
Ever since then, they’ve been playing little petty games with me.
My news director, assistant news director, and assignment editor would straight up bully me during our pitch meetings, in front of everyone on zoom. (Yes, we still did our pitch meetings on zoom, but couldn’t do interviews on zoom.)
They told us we were no longer allowed to interview PIOs in any story, and every story had to have a “real person”/“character” angle, which is great. I like that too.
Except they’d even turn those down.
One time I pitched a local fire department going for a Mill levy election to expand service to their growing community.
To that, my assignment editor said verbatim: “well unless you can find a real person who almost died because of long response times I’m not interested.”
It was like that for everything I pitched.
Meanwhile, the MMJ who has been there for 25 years would literally pitch story after story with just one source, usually a PIO, and they’d treat him like he was God’s gift to news.
One time he literally pitched “this park is getting a new gate out by the parking lot,” and they literally didn’t bat an eye.
Meanwhile nothing, and I mean nothing I pitched would be good enough for them.
And if your story idea doesn’t fall under one of the 5 pillars of the Scripps content strategy, you can forget it. So many good stories don’t get covered because “it just doesn’t meet any of our pillars.” WHO CARES? IT’S NEWSWORTHY OK?!?!?
Also, when I was hired, I was promised a work day once a week.
When I never hit one, but another reporter was given one weekly, Ryan Hazelwood (the ND) shouted me down while Olivia Dickinson (the AND) just played dumb.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The three people to look out for are the News Director, Ryan a Hazelwood, the AND, Olivia Dickinson, and the Assignment Ediotr, Elaine Sheridan.
Ryan Hazelwood is a corporate shill who cares more about kissing Scripps’ corporate higher ups’ asses than treating people as humans.
Any concerns I would ever bring up to him or Olivia were never received with understanding or listening. He would immediately start arguing, trying to intimidate me.
Meanwhile, his minion Olivia Dickinson is good for nothing else but doing his dirty work.
I don’t think I ever heard her say one thing of substance that was not just the management party line. It’s a shame, because the AND before her really cared about people.
Elaine Sheridan the assignment Editor has been here forever is set in her ways and hates new, young people with a passion.
She will talk to you like you’re a child who knows nothing about anything, and send you demeaning and belittling angry all caps texts and emails if you dare question her.
She has no time to try to make friends with new people and goes out of their way to make their lives a living hell.
At one point, these three managers decided, for weekend reporters, they would need to pitch SIX DIFFERENT (basically Emmy-worthy) stories for the weekend by 2:30 PM ON THE WEDNESDAY BEFORE. Do you know how unreasonable that is?
The saving Grace about this place is all the other employees, specially Ben Lloyd the Digital Director, and Rob and Elizabeth, the main anchors. They get it. And they realize we are human.”
News Director: Warren Stewart
“He has a severe Napoleon Complex. The GM and HR/Business person continually let him get away with mistreatment, verbal abuse, sexual harassment/misconduct, blaming part time people for his mistakes and ever changing mood on what’s considered, “news.” If’s he’s angry, he will yell without hearing or considering the circumstances of whatever mistake he perceives you to have made. He puts a select few on a pedestal based on their level of attractiveness and refuses to hear any criticism against them. He fights with other voices of reason and experience. He put forth a training schedule for all shifts to train the crew to produce and run shows the way he wanted and never left the evening in over a year. If you’re good at your job, he will make you do the job of others who aren’t keeping up and you will not be compensated. He tried to gut the sports department during a time when the station had an excellent sports director. He has fired many people who are excellent at their jobs for minor offences or none at all. He is the reason many others left.”
While working for WEVV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“For the most part, the news crew are decent and enjoyable people. A handful of the full time people are allowed to gossip and create toxic work conditions.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The GM has admitted he knows nothing about news. The station held onto a reporter after she verbally assaulted several employees, was caught leaving for hours during her anchor shift on a regular basis, and after physically assaulted a producer. The station held onto a weather man for months after it was found out he was sexually harassing women for feet pictures and foot fetish activities. Other’s have been fired for minor offences or for situations they were forced into. The pay is low. You will not get a reasonable raise. If you show you are able to work multiple full time jobs (producer, director, photographer, editor, web producer) you will be expected to complete multiple positions in the same shift for the pay of one. The equipment is often mishandled by inexperienced workers, which causes them to break. This is not the station to work if you enjoy working in news, because it will beat it out of you and you will not have benefitted in any way aside from experience.”
News Director: Rob Cartwright
“I think Rob attempts to help people when issues happen, but it’s not a healthy work environment and he’s either unaware or not doing enough to address the issues.”
While working for KEYE this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“If you’re a POC be prepared to feel uncomfortable. A lot of the people at the station make racially insensitive comments. No one is ever checked or held accountable for their actions.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you’re reading this don’t work here. Your mental health will be in jeopardy. This is the warning I wish I received.”
News Director: Bob Noonan
“I completely disagree with the negative review that was posted about Bob. I have had a VERY different experience. Bob is caring, helpful, and honest. He was very transparent with me when I visited the station and made me feel welcome. This station is not number one but they constantly break stories and have different content from other stations. He gave me critique and many opportunities on the anchor desk. He walks into the news room and greets everyone by name and with a smile. He is like a dad and news director in one person but in a good way. You can tell he’s a family man by how he treats people. He gives people the recognition they deserve and I believe he has created a great news environment where people can grow and work as a team.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“The people at this station are some of the most hard working people I have ever met in my entire life. They hustle and are humble! I have learned SO much from them and I am so blessed to work in a place where everyone gets along and is treated like family. This market is unpredictable and you’ll have the opportunity to cover amazing stories. WPMI is innovated and they enterprise amazing stories that constantly break news. They’re investigative heavy and hold officials accountable.”
News Director: Kristen Shill
“She knows what she wants, but isn’t always the greatest at taking input from others. She also is not as involved as a news director should be especially during breaking news or big shows.”
While working for WQOW this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“A decent learning station with a handful of really great people. There is some issues with passive aggressiveness especially between the evening vs morning crew and in news vs production. My biggest advice is to ask questions, ask questions, and then ask some more questions. Someone will teach you and you’ll get good experience here. Stay out of the toxicity and you’ll be fine. Learn what you can and then get out of there.”
News Director: Shane Moreland
“It was terrible. He lied and didn’t care about our well being. We weren’t paid enough and then he got mad because people started getting other jobs to supplement their income. He tells everyone’s business and also will tell you something then when you bring it up he tells you he didn’t say that and wouldn’t let you document or record anything or put stuff in writing. He would single out certain producers and give them special treatment and the cushion schedules. All the producers of color were on the terrible shifts and had to threaten to quit to get moved.”
While working for WRIC this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“People of Color are literally treated like they’re stupid or invisible; staff would have ignorant conversations regarding race and when told it was offensive they didn’t care. Some staff would use racial slurs and complaints were ignored. The male evening anchor would yell at producers, and curse them out to the point of bullying them and managers did nothing. The White producers and some staff would try and get people fired or bully them into leaving and when a producer would push back they’d complain about them being difficult to get them written up. If you called out sick Shane would require you to tell him what’s wrong so most people avoided calling out sick. No creative control if you tried something without telling a manager first you were called into the office. Most of the producers have no real newsroom experience so they’re just trying to learn and grow and the older producers would make sure to tell them wrong information.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Don’t work here. It’s probably the most toxic station under the company. No one is happy there or have already left and the people stuck there are probably planning exit strategies. It’s not a team environment, leadership has no clue what they’re doing and it shows. When staff wises up to HR rights and policies, Shane will file a HR complaint against that staffer to build a negative HR file. He’s also called other stations to trash talk employees to prevent them from leaving. Turnover rate is excessive and the pay is terrible.”
News Director: Tina Commodore
“No relationship”
While working for WFTV this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Tina seemed nice, but was almost entirely absent from decision making from day one. She came during the pandemic, leaving the assistant dope in charge Jason to single handedly destroy the legacy newsroom.
He belittled senior reporters on the morning meeting, got into screaming matches with them, harassed the younger reporters so much they often they couldn’t do their jobs and retaliated when anyone fought back or voiced an opinion. His signature move was acting completely shocked when he put a coverage plan in place and nobody understood it.
He loved to threaten employees who didn’t agree with him, by dangling horrible work environment situations in their faces, then demanding they accept the bad or it would just be worse.
Noteworthy: This is his second round at WFTV. He was kicked out one time before after so many people complained.
Run.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Jeff Weinrich
Experience described as: “Dedicated, knowledgeable with a caring attitude”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Everyone has been through lot from going from a family owned business to various corporate sales. They have a newly renovated newsroom and studio. Through it all we depend on each other and try to do good work daily – unfortunately we are not rewarded in the ratings. Many who work there are local graduates or long term employees. Not a bad place to work but it is a very slow news market.”
News Director: Shane Moreland
“An overall awful experience”
While working for WRIC this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Just don’t work here. The news director will spread your business to everyone so he’s can’t be trusted and the chief meteorologist and morning meteorologist (and these are grown men) gossips about everyone like women! I can’t tell you how many times I’ve over heard the news director talk bad about everyone to others and telling people’s business to others that has no business knowing. The chief meteorologist would stop me in the hallways to talk about how stupid he would think the sports director was (she’s a woman) and how stupid he thought the newer meteorologists were. I would try to leave those toxic conversations but he doesn’t pick up social cues when someone doesn’t want to be part of a conversation. No help or support from anyone. The news directors news judgement is awful. A lot of my stories would get shot down if they were community based. This station is not about community and the news director does not want us hanging or liking our competitions pictures on social media even if they’re your friend. Talk about control freak. The male evening anchor is literally insane. I’ve seen him curse out people and throw things at people (papers, pens) out of frustration.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Whatever you do? DO NOT WORK FOR THIS STATION! From the news director to the chief meteorologist. Just awful people. Not professional and people of color are definitely treated differently. Not in a good way! No one renews their contract there and the turnover rate is extremely high. In this business, people come and go, but no one stays there. From the producers to the talent. The employees that have been there for a long time stay because they can’t go anywhere else and those employees bully the younger and newer employees. If you’re looking to get help and grow here just know that no one will help you, in fact if the people that have been there for a while do not like you, they will try to get you fired. And they have been successful a few times. Extremely toxic environment and the news director is literally the worst ever. He talks down to you and don’t even get me started on how he micromanages everything. He’s a liar. If you end up working there.. don’t trust anyone. Everyone is miserable there.”
News Director: Jessica Bobula
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized
Additional comments:
“Jon is a good boss for the production department. Our schedules are flexible, and overall we have a positive environment in the control room; even when working with remote anchors (which tends to be stressful and overwhelming) and having multiple prompter issues, the production team always achieves successful news shows. It would be great if a few technical things would get fixed such as prompter system.”
News Director: Jessica Bobula
“Great. Every interaction is pleasant and positive. She has a full understanding of what needs to be accomplished and communicates said goals affectively.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“WITN is a great environment to learn and grow. The people are kind and always willing to help. This past year (2020) has brought many challenges and the leadership has done a great job maintaining inclusiveness at a time when we had to be a part.”
News Director: Jess Bobula
“We work well together. She appreciates my feed back and story ideas. She supports my work and decisions”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“Like most stations, this one is both organized and unorganized at the same time. In certain situations we are prepared and others not so much. Since it is a smaller market, there are limitations but we are working to break through that. I think we are doing a lot to help teach the younger/newer employees. We have some experienced employees which help elevate the quality work.”
News Director: Jessica Bobula
Experience described as: “Nice experience”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“It is a good station and all the employees are great at their jobs.”
News Director: Tom Doerr
“Hardly saw him. Rarely available to talk to.”
While working for WINK this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Most of the issues are with the Assistant News director, Rich Garcia. He makes some female reporters his ‘girls’. If you’re not one of his chosen you get overlooked for promotion no matter how hard you work. Only hired one male reporter in the time I was there. He’s hard to talk to because he is argumentative and loud. Between him and Doerr there is no direction at WINK.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“It’s a family owned station and makes up rules as it goes. Newsroom is cliche groups…you fit in or you don’t.”
News Director: Eric Walters
Experience described as: “Bad, unsupported”
While working for WDBJ this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Management blames the producers and reporters for the fact that it is not the number one station anymore. However, this can be blamed on the managers and not having an assignment manager. The managers are checked out and do not care about their employees or the quality of the newscast. Producers and reporters are stretched thin and continue to have more added to their plates.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“When I first started, the station was number one and I had a good experience. However, that ended when the current news director started. He is incompetent and does little to no actual management. The station and general manager’s main focus is money, and that’s it. The focus on quality journalism and helping employees is nonexistent. There is currently a mass exodus of people leaving the station because they are fed up with management. It’s sad because there are a lot of good people that work there who have been there for a long time.”
News Director: Greg Schieferstein
“A pathetic excuse for a News Director in any way, shape and form. I wanted him to do much more, but also did not trust him to do anything good if he did. He was just a corporate paper weight at that job.”
While working for KRNV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Greg has created a toxic newsroom. Since March of 2019, when he was hired, we have lost the institutional knowledge of more than half a dozen producers, reporters, anchors and mets. Some of which broke contract to get away. Greg played stupid, told lies and did nothing to keep these people on. Now he has a newsroom where no one has standing bridge of respect or communication with him. He can literally not speak to women properly and has has sexual harassment claims brought against him. There was not a single employee during my time there that would not complain about Greg’s lack of news judgement or him just being clueless. In blows my mind that Sinclair or even the GM dont see the trend considering most of them left horrible reviews of Greg with them. That station will not grow until he is gone. I am glad I got out, but my fellow on air staff and producers were great people. Also, the review from July of last year ok this site is not only inaccurate, but ingenuine. We have had ZERO reporters come from other markets and then leave around that time, so it must be someone trying to paint a different picture.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Ask any of the reporters or producers there about this station prior to accepting any offer. They will give you the best indication of how things are, but I just left and I am saying until Greg is gone this place is without a paddle.”
News Director: Kerwin Speight
Experience described as: “Toxic”
While working for Spectrum (Central NC) this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Kerwin is by far the worst manager I’ve ever worked for. Spectrum is a decent enough company and Charlotte is a great city, but I’ve never seen so many MMJs and producers leave in such a short amount of time after a News Director started. I’ve never seen a ND actively avoid their staff. I was never considering leaving until he took over. It was an overall negative experience working with Kerwin.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you just want to get a paycheck and live in Charlotte, it could be a fine job. If you want to be a journalist, it’s probably not the best place to be at the moment. Be sure to talk to a current MMJ at the station before applying or accepting any offers. Anchors have a pretty cushy job though, so not a bad place to work the desk.”
News Director: Joe Spadea
“Awful. He is disorganized and moody. Unfair, plays favorites. Not the biggest problem, the biggest problem is the general manager Eric Thomas. Unfortunately Joe does everything Eric says.”
While working for WVLA this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Opportunities are given to the same undeserving people over and over. Very unprofessional, toxic environment. Favoritism… some people are disciplined for minor errors and others seem to do whatever they want. Women are passed up for raises, and opportunities despite experience and qualification. If you’re a Black woman your pay will be significantly less with no explanation. Eric is a bully who sees his employees as numbers instead of treating them like actual people. Employees say the station has been under investigation by nexstar multiple times for harassment and discrimination and yet nothing has been done. It’s clear Eric makes all decisions based on money. The building is disgusting and deplorable. The turnover rate is extremely high and many talented people leave the business after working here because of the stress and toll on mental health. More than 30 employees have left in less than 2 years. The General Manager sees this as a positive to hire younger more inexperienced people who he doesn’t have to pay as much. You are expected to turn your stories on laptops that are not compatible with adobe. During the pandemic employees were told it was not possible to work from home. We were still forced to come into the building daily and take equipment that would crash within a few minutes of using. A mask mandate in the building was not put in place until an anchor brought the negligence to corporate and suddenly they began to take covid precautions “seriously.” HR department is useless and cannot be trusted with serious issues. This station is full of empty promises and no support for your ambition and drive. Management fails on all accounts. Anchors are inexperienced and unprofessional.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Do not work here. Go to channel 9 or channel 2 if you want to be taken seriously as a journalist. You will have more opportunities to fail than grow. Management does not set you up for success.”
News Director: John Dearing
Experience described as: “Chaotic”
While working for WBOC this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“John and Ron are the opposite of leaders. Both hide in their offices and have absolutely no idea what is actually going on beside their glass walls. They expect the reporters know everything when in reality they are struggling each and every day with little to no help. They are liars. They promise you one thing and do not ever, ever go forward with it. You are expected to work way past your shift and provide more content than you actually have. Overall, it is a chaotic situation. Miscommunication is what kills the station. The news director and assistant news director have ideas in their head but do not share it with the actual new staff. When there are breaking those are big coverage events they are often times left out of the communication process and have no idea what is going on until about five minutes before hand. The money and benefits here are luring but do not fall to the trap.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The management will push agendas on you as a reporter. Do not fall prey to this. Especially when Covid struck, they made things appear they were much worse then they were because the news director, who suffers from diabetes, was more afraid of Covid than the average citizen.”
News Director: Steven Shaw
“Extremely unprofessional. One of the worst Nexstar news directors out there. Will ghost you if you apply for a job and have an interview, tried to make a main anchor/reporter the main editor on the weekends and does not care about the safety or personal lives of his employees whatsoever. Do not work for this guy.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“Assistant news director Jody Gill is a horrible human. Will throw you under a moving bus. Has been there for more than 15 years and still cannot manage employees. Everything is your fault not his. He will not help you get better. This station has gone down hill so fast which is incredibly sad because it’s a great place besides the awful management. Again, don’t work here. You will not improve you will get burnt out.”
News Director: Morgan Schaab
Experience described as: “Hardworking, organized, always thinking of employees and the community”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“I love WAND. Absolutely a great place to work and learn. The community is very welcoming and the news staff is friendly.”
News Director: Greg Schieferstein
“Greg is truly horrific. To put it simply first, news is tough and you dont get paid enough for the job as is, so if you are looking for a way to somehow make the job more difficult then come to work for Greg — where it is unbearable. There is not a single employee in my day to day at KRNV that Greg had not burned a bridge with or lost their respect. His news judgement is not only prehistoric, but at times so off-tune that you cant fathom how he has been able to fly under the radar this long at multiple stations in the role. The culture he has created is not one of open dialogue and conversation, but a Greg way or the highway — or an accusatory and uncomfortable phone call where you are reminded that there is nothing you can do other than shut up and play the game. I know that he has received a handful of complaints to HR for various reasons but he still remains. In my time there I experienced him get hired in March of 2019 and in that time institutional knowledge at the station has fled like a mass exodus with Greg being a major factor. Two long time morning anchors gone, a handful of established producers and reporters burned out. I know this is a starting market, but I am talking people literally leaving mid contract to get away. One producer came in and left after two weeks. All of that aside, my biggest gripe was the unacknowledgement of work and inability to provide thoughtful feedback. Me, among those who are still there and those who have left, have all spoke about how its perplexing that no one is seeing the trend of bad turnover since March of 2019. The entire managerial staff needs an overhaul, other than the staff is great and found the other reporters talented and kind, but very undervalued.”
While working for KRNV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Greg does not know how to speak to women — flat out. His work environment is awful and the only relationships that work are between the staff in similar roles.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Run the other way.”
News Director: M. DAVID LEE
Experience described as: “ADVERSARIAL AND HORRENDOUS”
While working for WFRV this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“In the year M. David Lee has taken over, more than 13 employees have quit.. to include our Chief Photographer with 25 years of experience”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“DO NOT TAKE THIS JOB BECAUSE YOU DON’T HAVE A JOB!!! WAIT IT OUT,YOU’LL GET SOMETHING BETER. ALL MMJ’S HAVE TO PRODUCE.. YOU CAN’T PUT TOGETHER A REEL IF YOU HAVE TO PRODUCE THE SAME DAY YOU REPORT!!!! GOT TO WBAY, FOX11, WKOW OR ANY STATION IN MADISON.. PICKING UP DECAYING DEAD DEER IN THE SUMMER ALONG THE INTERSTATE IS BETTER THAN WORKING AT WFRV.”
News Director: Tom Henderson
Experience described as: “Toxic”
While working for WTVC this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Tom comes off as genuinely kind and I believe that he is but he is also foolish and shows lack of compassion for his reporters.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This station really kills many people’s joy and happiness. Over half the people that left while I was employed bought themselves out because of treatment from management. Many people came to this station with a love of news and within a month hated the field and never want to work again. Tom and managing editor Latrica pick candidates straight out of college and completely kill their spirits. Six former employees left news completely because Tom and Latrica made stop loving their job. Even mentioning this place to some former employees makes them cry. Tom also tries to pit coworkers against each other if you aren’t a favorite you won’t get a thing. DO NOT WORK HERE.”
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:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Tulsa is an amazing city with a lot of news to cover, and your coworkers at this station will be amazing! Unfortunately, that’s not enough. The newsroom has lost several great journalists in the last couple years because of the miserable environment KOTV is cultivating.”
News Director: Olivia Dangler
Experience described as: “Painful”
While working for WHTM this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Worst place to work. Toxic, gossiping people in charge. Hardworking people are manipulated as they are bashed to the ground. Those who should be fired are instead celebrated. Many employees hate daily life and are seeking a way out. The number of people who leave without other jobs lined up speaks volumes to how horrific employees are treated.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Tracy Davis
“She just started”
While working for WVIT this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The managing editor and am
Ep are incompetent fools and need to be removed from the newsroom”
News Director: Steve Koles
Experience described as: “Positive. Great leader.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This is a great station to work for. The management is solid, both ND and AND. They’re constantly trying to make the best hiring choices, and invest in those they do hire. They’re 2nd in the market but they do not directly compete with the other stations because they’re in Grand Rapids, while WWMT is in Kalamazoo. The news stories they cover are not newsworthy, however. Follow up to how someone died horrifically, generally. Maybe once a month one might cover something interesting. But if you like breaking news, this is the station for you, because that’s pretty much what they do, making it hard to grow and get better, but the station management, especially the GM, believes that’s where the ratings come from. The gear is new though, and that’s nice.”
News Director: Jess Laszewski
Experience described as: “Uninspiring”
While working for WMTV this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Male managers often make jokes to young female MMJ’s that are inappropriate. Masochistic attitudes from the stiff male managers bring down the female empowerment vibe given by the news director. It’s a newsroom filled with ONLY female MMJ’s. There are two male anchors on the whole news team.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“A beautiful state of the art station filled with toxic managers that are petty, unprofessional, and discouraging to new reporters. An overall blatant lack of organization from management. Any outsider can see that they do not know how to make decisions quickly, or decisions that best benefit the newsroom and individual staff. Often times flying by the seat of their pants and have no plan. This alone leaves the newsroom constantly trying to catch up to competition.
Only anchors with experience get to work with photographers. They are the only ones that get to do hold pieces. There are only 4 photographers. 1 for mornings, 2 during the day 4 days a week, and one for nights but he often shoots sports. Thankfully, the ND doesn’t support solo liveshots. But you saw the numbers, you will hardly get a live shot.
ND is nice and has a vision. Not a bad ND, but has managers that are disrespectful to a lot of the young MMJ’s and producers. It is really frustrating to see sometimes, and have happen to you. I just wonder how the ND doesn’t notice or take action. If you speak up about something, you run the risk of managers treating you worse like they have to people in the past. Those people went on to better jobs in the long run.
A lot of new staff hired on fresh out of college. Would recommend this as a second job unless you genuinely care about news, urgency, and taking criticism to get better. Otherwise, you will flop like some have.
The station and set are pretty, but be ready to deal with a lot of ugliness from managers. They kill the aura in the newsroom. Too bad because there is a lot of hard working talented journalist at WMTV.”
News Director: Barb Roethler
Experience described as: “Horrible. Unpleasant. Moody. Unprofessional. Conniving. Just a bad/miserable human being.”
While working for WILX 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: Eric Walters
Experience described as: “Toxic. Negative. Neglectful. Disrespectful. Miserable.”
While working for WBTW 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: Bill Cummings, Curtis Jackson, & Asst News Dir Matt Rosenberg
“All 3 are horrible leaders with bad communication skills”
While working for KIFI/KIDK this person experienced:
Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Women are treated worse and talked down to. One female employee had a seizure and passed out while working over the weekend. She called the asst news director after she woke up and told him what happened. He told her she couldn’t go home and to get back to work. She was fired soon after because she was a “problem””
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“No matter how desperate you may be for a job, do NOT under ANY circumstances work at KIFI. Managers don’t address or care about things you bring to their attention (they promoted a producer who slept on the job for 1/2 of their shift. Plus the long-time audio/graphics guy screws up multiple times each show and nothing happens to him because he’s part of the church). They do nothing to help or mentor new employees. Pay sucks. GM is a bully who makes Scrooge look like a big spender. If you are part of the LDS church, they will kiss your feet. If not, you are treated much worse. I wish I knew about this website before I worked there. The other posts I read are accurate. Please…protect your mental health and stay away.”
News Director: Joe Radske
“No news judgement”
While working for KVRR this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The News Director always shutsdown story ideas and instead makes mmjs go to events to promote a company or organization. KVRR is a news station, not a PR company.
He’s also very obssesive over going overtime. He will remind you as much as he can to make sure not to exceed hours and if you do, it will most likely not reflect on your paycheck.
The main anchors are mediocre at best. They love to talk about mmjs behind their back instead of helping them grow. Maybe it’s because they lack experience themselves.
Equipment is very outdated. Nothing ever works. There’s also not enough editing computers for all the mmjs. The station is also extremely understaffed.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Warren Stewart
“The absolute worst boss I’ve ever had in my 13 year history of being in the tv industry.”
While working for WEVV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The organization is ran by three people who have no idea what they are doing. The lack of leadership is among the managers is actually quite funny when you look at it.
Warren sexually harasses and discriminates against employees daily, and is so involved in station drama and gossip, it’s no wonder that the station has such terrible ratings.
The assignment editor/ “Assistant News Director” send reporters to the wrong stories on the wrong day daily, the GM has no idea what is going on, and that is because he (the GM) believes the ND knows what he is doing. I’ve never been a part of such a drama infested environment, that is all led by the ND. The station has had multiple talks about how gossip must stop, including emails sent by the GM to stop the drama, however it continues because the ND constantly spews it. If you are called into Warren’s office, he is going to ask you what everyone is talking about and for the latest details of drama in the station. It all stems from him, but he is untouchable. He never gets in trouble for his inappropriate actions because the GM writes it off as “fake”. It’s sad, but it’s true.
The normal employees are great people, but seeing the life sucked out of employees is so sad. Over 50 people have left in under 2 years, which J’s a crazy amount of turnover when you compare it to the other two stations. In those 50+ people, some of them have even left to go to a competitor for LOWER PAY. If that doesn’t describe how much of a mess that place is, I don’t know what else to tell you.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“DO NOT WORK HERE.
I cannot say this enough. If you are fresh out of college and think you are successful because you landed a market 102 job, think again. Go to market 160 instead. This place is the absolute worst place to start, because you may never want to continue your career after this toxic wasteland. Bottom line, if Warren Stewart is the news director, DO NOT take the job.”
News Director: Janis Harper
Experience described as: “backstabbing and two faced”
While working for WEAU this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“A lot of holdovers from the previous news director thought things would get better under new leadership…They were wrong! This woman is straight up clueless, no wonder the last station she worked at closed! She will pretend to like you and then go behind your back when you begin to call out her decision making.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“The only two god things about this station are the rank and file staff, and the learning you will get to do in what will probably be your first job. Aside from that, you will be miserable due to management which probably won’t change.”
News Director: Kelly Groft
Experience described as: “Positive”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Open to Creative Control
Additional comments:
“WMAR is, generally speaking, a positive place to work. Newsroom staff is treated with respect by management, in contrast to many stations that treat their employees like indentured servants. Does everybody love it? No. Of course not, and I’m sure they could fill this form with complaints. But perspective is everything. The numbers don’t reflect it, but there are some great people working here. As far as parent companies go, Scripps is a decent company to work for.
Photogs and reporters are both union positions; IBEW for photogs, SAG-AFTRA for reporters and anchors.”
News Director: Sean Mahon
Experience described as: “Great. Respectful. Knowledgeable.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I checked every single box for the overall newsroom environment. This is because it all depends on who you surround yourself with at this station.
There is a small group of employees, including the Assistant News Director, Assignment Editor, and a couple of Anchors and Producers that are the direct reason for the toxicity of that newsroom. They seem to look for ways to complain about their job and try to find excuses to be unhappy. They also undermine and undercut the News Director, Sean Mahon, every single chance they get. Case in point, the other reviews on this site were certainly written by these people in an attempt to smear the name and reputation of a good man, and great leader, in Sean. At no point in my time here has Sean ever been anything but respectful and professional with me, or any other female employee. Accusations of sexual harassment and racial tensions are simply false. This is what this group of people do!
This station can be a super fun place to work. It has incredible employees who have a real passion for storytelling. It is a great place to learn and grow as a journalist. You just have to identify and stay away from that small group of toxic people. Which isn’t that difficult because the majority of people there feel the same way as I do, and will quickly point out the group to stay away from.
It’s also fairly easy to see as they constantly yell in the newsroom when they are upset, and have frequent meetings with one another as soon as the News Director leaves for the day. For some reason they feel the need to anonymously talk bad about their boss. And since this is anonymous… Just know their real problem lies with their own unhappiness. Does it stem from the unhappy relationships a few of them are in with each other? Or the past DUI convictions (yes that’s plural)? Or their loyalty to the disgruntled former GM? It really doesn’t matter as they just a very small group who believe their words and actions cause real damage, when anyone with half a brain can see, they are the problem. And one day they’ll get knocked off that entitled high horse and have to walk around down here with the rest of us. And I would imagine when that day comes, they won’t like what they see at all.”
News Director: Bob Walters
Experience described as: “Like getting K-9 teeth extracted”
While working for KWTX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The only good thing that has happen to this station is that, the the little micro managing Qtip Napoleonanic G.M. Mike Wright quit the station without notice. Otherwise, still a under staff working at slave wages cannot do more with less with crap equipment with enormous responsibilities setting yourself to fail being overworked.
If you come to work here, don’t sign a contract. Don’t sign a lease. Take it as a paycheck having a job looking for another.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
Additional comments:
“The station is extremely understaffed. I’m a one-man sports department with a so-called “interim sports director” that is also a news anchor and executive producer…this alone explains how understaffed this place is. There hasn’t been a sports department with at least two people for over two years now. That’s being said, I’ll probably be solo the entire time I’m here. I’m only one month in this job and I’m already worn out. I spent the past year and a half at an EXTREMELY toxic station in the same market as a weekend news anchor/reporter with the aspirations of becoming a sports reporter. It took me over a year and 100+ applications later to finally secure a job as a sports reporter. I felt like I went through all that trouble to get in a worse situation. I have no issues with my current co-workers or bosses, it’s just the workload that’s killing me. I’m expected to do a sports package and vosot, shoot game highlights, write articles and anchor the sports blocks during the evening shows every day with no help. I can only stay at games/practices for a short amount of time since I have to hustle back to the station, build the sports blocks and anchor the sports blocks. I can’t handle this. I already had enough stress trying to exit the previous station I was at and now I’m getting my ass kicked at this new one. Hell, I had a personal sports talk podcast I hosted for two years as a hobby and I was told I’m no longer allowed to do it anymore and should focus on my job…I’ve only been in this industry for nearly 2 years and I already hate it. I’m completely out of luck and I feel like I wasted 5 years of college trying to achieve something that doesn’t look like it’s meant for me.”
News Director: Adam Pursch
“Like many news directors, who Adam Pursch portrays himself to be during the interview process is not who he will be once you’re hired. It’s nice that he doesn’t micro-manage, but he’s also practically non-existent. Adam does not give feedback, direction, or respect to his employees. Consequently, the newsroom is a bit of a disaster. This station is last in the market and will stay that way unless drastic changes are made to current management.”
While working for KOKH this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I can’t imagine anyone being happy working here. It is truly that dysfunctional. Things I was promised when I was hired were immediately ripped out from under me once I arrived. If you are a reporter and they guarantee you a Photog daily, don’t trust them. So many reporters have been forced back into MMJ positions in the recent months. They also limit what content is covered into what they call “buckets”. It’s essentially 4 categories of their choosing and you can’t do any topics outside of those 4 things. This often causes FOX 25 to miss the major stories of the day. No one watches or gives any tips to the station and the assignment editor does not pitch story ideas and NEVER helps make calls. In fact, the assignment editor often lies about making calls, gets caught in his own web of lies, and management still refuses to do anything about it.
The photogs carelessly slap stories together and have terrible attitudes. They will make you look like a bad reporter and say to your face they don’t care what the story looks like because they’re just there to collect a paycheck and go home. Adam Pursch shrugs the disrespect and laziness off as an “industry standard”. He truly has no concept of what it takes to hold people accountable or to put out a decent product. It’s almost easier to be an MMJ.
However, even then the gear is border line antiquated. It’s worse than what I trained on in college. Sinclair has supposedly been promising the station new cameras for years, but they can’t even afford to give MMJs wireless stick mics. Practically everything FOX 25 puts on air looks blurry. You’ll be hard pressed to find something you’re not embarrassed of for your reel.
And if you think you don’t mind being last in the market, you will once you come here. This station is a joke and the competition will treat you as such out in the field. I used to love being a journalist and this station broke me. If you have other options I’d highly recommend you pursue them.
FOX 25 is a sinking ship. My advice is to run for the hills while you still can.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
News Director: Terry Wood
Experience described as: “Educational, motivating, encouraging”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“A wonderful starter station- amazing people work here & it is run by very knowledgeable management. It is a station I will forever look back on with a smile. KMID is the best run station in Midland/Odessa & there is huge potential there.”
News Director: Russ Poteet
“Comes off as a caring employer but really just a gossip.”
While working for KAMC/KLBK this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Overall there were good, talented people who came though but management didn’t care about retaining talent or the culture of the office. They cared if they were making more money. They would gaslight their employees and get them to turn on each other by spreading rumors.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you value your time and energy don’t start your career at this station.”
News Director: Warren Stewart
“He’s very picky. There is no wiggle room for learning or making mistakes as you learn. In life there will be hiccups. Some people learn slower than others, some need visuals, some need numbers. He’s not very patient to those with disabilities, and he cannot admit when he is wrong. He brushes his own mistakes under the rug just to give 44 a good face. It’s hypocritical when he’s not allowed to make mistakes. When he does it, it’s swept under the rug. He also mistreats his employees of color. So if you’re not white, RUN!”
While working for WEVV this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I’m not from Evansville and I’m from a bigger more robust city. I thought midwesterners were more polite and conservative but it turns out they are no worse than the catcallers in Miami. I’ve been asked inappropriate questions by one of the male reporters. When I made mistakes, I was heavily called out, but when someone else made a mistake it was swept under the rug, especially Warren’s own mistakes.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“There is no wiggle room for your own creativity. If Warren doesn’t like it, it’s not going to be used. No matter how good or creative you may think, your own ideas will never matter. There is too much drama here. Mind you, there are adults in the 30s-60s here and instead of being an adult and focusing on the news, they are more concerned about gossip and slander against each other. The theme is “Focused on Family & the Community.” WHAT A BIG FAT LIE! The people inside can’t get along and they aint practicing what they preach! And if you’re not white, you’re not welcomed. You don’t need a common white person’s name, but if it don’t sound white, you’re never going to be in anyone’s favor here. You can’t be walking in here being a “Mrs.Katsuki Bakugou” or a Ms. Lakeesha Braxton.”
News Director: Pat Brink
“Like any new director, he has his moments but I can say he wants to see all of his reporters succeed and move on to bigger and better things after you do you two years at the station. He has worked in larger markers before but isn’t as familiar with new tech as he could be. He had done a good job being the news director for a station that is fairly new to the market. He will tell you like it is but will make sure you grow from it. Pat is also good about giving construtive critisim when you ask. He lets the reporters have alot of creative freedom when it comes to storytelling and producing. Pat can have his bad days, but if you write your thoughts down and talk to him, he can be very responsive. In all, he isn’t a bad guy.”
While working for KYOU this person experienced:
“The station has not had many minorities work for them. I only know of one, and she handled herself well. If the news director hires more minorities (and more reporters) the station will grow and eventually become number one in the market. Their reporters have a larger work load than the competition, but their quality of storytelling is A LOT better. With growth, this station will become better with time.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“This station is in the Ottumwa, IA/Kirksville, MO market — DMA 200. It is a small newsroom of typically 3-5 reporters. Anchors produce their newscast (either FOX 9pm or NBC 10pm) and go out and do a story (a short package) Monday-Friday. There is a bureau in Kirksville where one reporter works out of. The bureau reporter has the most freedom when it comes to storytelling, they sometimes even have the chance to travel (drive and come back the same day) to big stories in Missouri, which are great learning opportunities. The bureau reporter also does a package and a VOSOT a day— sometimes more depending on the amount of news that day. All of the reporters/anchors are on their own, unless they plan ahead and ask for help. You HAVE to know how to shoot steady video though, it will pay off in the long run.
There are times where it can be unorganized in the news room because the ND does not always clearly communicate (especially to the bureau reporter). Past reporters say, email the ND, document everything, and over communicate to him if need be.
The only time you will be live is if you anchor. Hopefully, in the next few months the Live-U systems will be up and running. Like stated before, this station is fairly new but there is a lot of room to grow. It may seem like the competition is the best out here but they have the same problems (short of staff, lack of seasoned reporters).
If you’re into sports, you can report on sports but you will have to balance that out with news.
In all, this is a place for reporters who like independence and need a place to grow fresh out of school. KYOU is a station where you have to make the most out of your experience. What you do at KYOU will set the trend for where you’ll end up next. For instance, past reporters are producers/ reporters in top 100 markets because they have a lot to show for what they did in Iowa or Missouri.”
News Director: Roger Gray
“Extremely difficult to work with because of his disorganization and unprofessional tone. Not highly experience local, modern TV news.”
While working for KVII this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Completely unorganized newsroom with no real communication on anything. News director has no basic understanding of what everyone’s role is in the newsroom. This comes from his lack of time spent in local TV news. Schedules are either nonexistent, or completely inaccurate. Shifts are left uncovered if it is left up to the news director. We have had instances where producers and anchors were given the day off and their shifts were left uncovered until the last minute. News director is extremely forgetful and will forget stories he has assigned to you. He will also forget entire conversations, so you have to send him an email every time you talk to him or he will accuse you Of not communicating with him. He also sends inappropriate, harassing emails when he is called out on mistakes. If you are lucky, he might read your emails and respond.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Overall, the newsroom pulls together to put shows on the air each day. Coworkers in the newsroom all work well together, despite constantly being understaffed on top of a lack of direction from the news director/management. If you are looking to grow as a reporter in this starter market, keep looking. It is also a Sinclair station, however, for this size market, the pay and benefits are decent. I wouldn’t recommend this newsroom to anyone. The overall dysfunction and incompetence of the leadership in the News Director makes working here extremely tough. Multiple longtime news employees have left under his reign, with many more looking to get out as soon as possible. There are much better places to learn and grow as a reporter without being subjected to the unprofessional, unorganized mess in this newsroom.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This station needs to close down period. Always one sided, makes post on FB and takes down later cuz public comments may have been harsh but, something racial they keep feeding into BS or even President Trump. Also if you watch one time a week it’s the same thing all week long over and over… Too much Democratic BS!!
NEED TO CLEAN THE ENTIRE News CREW OUT, keep weather ppl but the rest can go!
Overall Toxic News and PEOPLE”
News Director: Joe Inderhees
Experience described as: “Awful”
While working for WTLV/WJXX this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This place is a burning sinking shop and I’m trying to survive the trip down.
Joe “the snake” Inderhees, the news director, is a pompous turd who will throw you under the bus, drive it over you, then help dress your wounds. Beware!!
There’s a “mean girls club” here that really are some of the most miserable, fake, b****** I’ve ever witnessed. They also all talk about each other.
Photogs are jealous of the reporters and want to be on-air but would like they just stepped out of the swamp.
Management is a joke. The GM is a liar and reminds me of the Hunchback of Notre Dame. He’s a true weasel. He talks about employees to other employees. And I’ve heard he’ll even discuss a person’s salary with others. Disgusting.
This station is the joke of the town.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“RUN!”
News Director: Jessica Bobula
Experience described as: “She’s awful”
While working for WITN this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This station is known for hiring a “token” Black person for on-air positions (reporters, anchors). Just one and only one, usually, at a time. The Black employees’ issues are always minimized. White employees get away with actions Black employees don’t get away with. Veteran employees are allowed to misbehave while new employees are punished. The station was already toxic enough with Bill as an assistant ND: he’s rude, he has a nasty attitude, he doesn’t care about your safety or well-being, he makes absurd requests for reporters, he comes in angry every day, and the station lets him get away with everything. Then, when Jessica was hired as ND, it got worse. She turned the station on its head in a bad way. She’s a cancer (and no, I’m not taking about the horoscope.) She is literally the worst human being I’ve ever worked for. If I ever ran into her again if she’s hired at another station I work for down the line, I’d quit. That’s how bad it is and how serious I am. And I’m not exaggerating. She’s mean, unreasonable, she has unrealistic expectations, she will call you out in front of the entire station for minor mistakes, she messages you constantly to nitpick everything you do, she will argue with you for extended periods of time when you address her about anything, she will NOT hear your concerns, she runs the station like a dictator, she gaslights, and she pretends to be progressive when she’s actually not. She handled a racist incident that happened on-air at the station poorly. Lied about diversity training. Yet, when Black employees come to her about being mistreated, she gaslights you into thinking you’re the problem. She will not encourage you in any way and only has time to tear you down unless you’re one of her favorites… and she has them. She only gets along with people who put their head down and don’t question her about anything. And she allows Bill to continue with his poor behavior unchecked as long as he co-signs her. So many employees have quit or plan to leave the station early or as soon as they can because of her. Almost every non-leadership, news employee currently there can vouch for her terrible leadership. Oh, and did I mention the gaslighting? The general manager is well aware of the issues with Bill and Jess but has not done anything to create a better environment for employees. HR will not help you either. This fish is stinking from the head down. Even with the previous ND, when a coworker made sexist comments toward me, because of favoritism, no punishment was given and they bombarded me with a surprise meeting with said coworker. No one followed up. Toxic, Toxic, Toxic. I went into a depression working here. Thank God most of my coworkers were ok to work with and the other assistant ND Clayton was a genuine man, because I wouldn’t have lasted as long as I did without them.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“RUN! As long as Jessica and Bill are working at this station, prepare to deal with torture on a daily basis. You’ll deal with favoritism and God-forbid you’re a Black employee, your experience will be much worse because only the white employees and employees that don’t stand up for themselves get recognized. The only positive thing: I learned a lot as a reporter, they’re very organized, and I can now deal with toxic people in other newsrooms. This station needs a huge shift in leadership. I was literally miserable there. When I left, they were basically like “There’s the door.””
News Director: Robert Davidson
“Robert is one of a kind and truly an amazing news director. He truly cares about his employees.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“Overall, it’s a great place to start. Awesome Chief, awesome EP & GM. They’re a tight-knit family. Don’t be afraid of the smaller markets. You’ll meet your forever friends. There were a few bad eggs in the newsroom, but that’s everywhere you go.”
News Director: Brenda DeAnda-Swann
“She’s better suited for a newspaper. Her major past errors cause her to be overly cautious. Rude, demeaning , disingenuous utter nightmare to work for.”
While working for KVIA this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Racial Discrimination, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Kevin Lovell, the sports-obsessed general manager, is constantly harassing everyone. He underpays all the staff with the exceptions of those who do the nothing e.g. the executive producer who cannot produce, and allegedly has several criminal violations. The ceiling and set look horrendous, yet the month-long sports show has special shirts. Reporters have to pay for a station shirt. Favoritism runs rampant, and has to do with ‘attitude:’ Those who don’t challenge management or unethical news practices are rewarded despite being totally inept.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“This is truly the most toxic news and work environment I have ever been in, and would strongly suggest avoiding KVIA at all costs.”
News Director: Bernie Ritter
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational
News Director: Valerie Sullivan
“Worst station to work at if you have a true passion for news. Phil is the worst assignment editor ever he constantly puts reporters down and loves to talk about you behind your back. When you complain to Val she does not do anything and essentially puts the blame back on you when it’s not your fault. They play favorites a lot so if you’re not one of their favorites then frankly they don’t care about you at all.”
While working for WVNS this person experienced:
Racial Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This entire environment will suck your passion for news right out of you. I would not suggest working her!!! RUN AS FAR AWAY AS POSSIBLE”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“I suggest looking else where.”
News Director: Kristi Spencer
“She’s pretty cut and dry. She expects you to have a profile/character and get both sides of the issue. It also has to be something that affects more than one person. All great standards to have. I was nightside, so she stayed out of day-to-day involvement in pkgs unless it’s a sweeps piece.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Educational, Open to Creative Control, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“It’s a starter market and a starter station. But it’s a great place to build a reel, get some experience, and pick the brain of Dowe Quick, who’s a treasure.”
News Director: Shaun Newell
While working for WMBD this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“A few of the photographers are extremely challenging to work with. I dreaded going to work, in part, because of them. Multiple reporters, at least a half-dozen I’ve spoke with, expressed similar thoughts. Not a recommendable starting market for a reporter. Look for WEEK openings or elsewhere.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“A lot of turnover over the past five or six years.”
News Director: Jeff Barnd
Experience described as: “Chaotic, lack luster, I taught him more than he taught me”
While working for WABG this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“General manager Jean Turnbough is the WORST. She’s a horrible person who
has created a toxic, unpleasant work environment. She always claims she knows nothing about news, but always buts in in the news department. She uses personal vendettas against staff that hinders the entire news station. For a starter market, you don’t learn anything because you never get any guidance. The morale is horrible, except for a few lovely people who are so nice they don’t deserve to have to work there. As an MMJ you never get any feedback on your work. I watched 8 people quit before me, and I left early as well.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you want Mississippi try any other market but Greenville. The delta is a wonderful place but the tv station is aweful. Beware of Jean Turnbough she’s run so many talented people away. Do your journalistic duty and research her before accepting a job with her. Never take anything she tells/offers you as truth.”
News Director: Holly Gauntt
Experience described as: “Amazing”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Organized, Educational, Positive, Fun
Additional comments:
“It’s pretty clear the previous two reviews were written by disgruntled employees who were let go for some of their behaviors. This is the best station to work for in the Denver market.
Everyone is positive and managers consistently give praise for hard work. Holly Gauntt is an amazing and affirming news director – and some of the best photographers in the market also work here. Photography staff is amazing”
News Director: Beth Jensen
Experience described as: “Neutral. Helpful when I was new, then very little interaction.”
While working for KELO this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“While the weather department was very much separated from the newsroom, I hardly heard anything real positive about the newsroom culture. I was very glad to work separate and pretty much left alone.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“It was a great starter job but don’t stay longer than 4 years. The pay doesn’t goes up more than 1% per year so after 4 years, you are worth more elsewhere. The station is owned by Nexstar and their nickname is Deathstar for many reasons so stay away! But KELO weather was alright. The other mets are amazing. You’ll learn a lot from them.”
News Director: Lisa Burger
Experience described as: “One of the hardest people to work with”
While working for KSEE/KGPE this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“Merit is more so based off of favoritism than actual ability/work put out, especially when Lisa became ND. Favoritism, though, was strong before she became ND. Things are unorganized beyond belief, even if other managers tried to clean things up it’d just be too big a mess to do so. She also had a weird tendency to tear people down in front of others.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized,Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Reporters, photogs, production staff all got together great for the most part — mostly bonding through misery.”
News Director: Lissa Hamblen
“She is disconnected and targets people she doesn’t like”
While working for KOLR this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“This station got a lot of positive reviews when Chuck was the news director. Now, its Lissa, a woman who doesn’t allow anyone to progress in the station. Once you get a job, you’re stuck there for eternity. She is pals with Collin Lingo, the head of the digital department. He is only supportive and kind to those who are his “best friend” in the department, if he decides he doesn’t like you, you will be targeted and everything will be used against you until you are out of there. Lissa decides what you will be best at and there is no changing that in her mind when she has decided. Moral is extremely low in the newsroom because nobody feels like they can progress. Everyone is leaving and I wouldn’t suggest putting in an application right now until Lissa is gone.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized
News Director: Janis Harper
Experience described as: “Toxic, Passive Aggressive”
While working for WEAU this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“She doesn’t care about her employees, she acts like she cares and if they don’t follow her to a T she will be passive aggressive. She has favorites, and it shows. Under her leadership, you will work 6 days a week, and 12 hour shifts due to “scheduling errors” meanwhile, it’s her messing up and not owning up to it. She is also very hypocritical.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“You will meet some great coworkers, but overall the environment is very toxic. They will backstab you more times than you can count.”
News Director: Susan Dinkel
Experience described as: “Pretty shitty”
While working for WTHI this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“The GM is a cheap asshole who treats his employees like shit. There is 0 communication in this station. Management is childish, petty, immature, and illogical.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Don’t work here”
News Director: Susan Dinkel
“Susan is good. She is personable. She started out working as a reporter, so she understands that aspects, but she has a terrible time differing between anchor, producer and news director. Which, whether she knows it or not, cuts into her anchoring and news directing”
While working for WTHI this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, Sexual Discrimination, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“There have been too many experiences in each category selected for the 3+ years I have worked here. Off the top of my head, personal and vacation day requests have been rejected (which is illegal). Employees will be yelled at and publicly humiliated for using the word “guys” on air and this is just by middle management. I have been talked down to and berated by upper management for doing or not doing something my male counter parts have or have not done. Starting off, honestly it was a great place that I would have recommended to anyone. Now, I don’t think I would recommend this station to anyone.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Positive, Fun, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“There are certain prowl and certain groups of people who make it “positive and fun” but it has been going downhill the years I have been there. It is unorganized. No one communicates with the next person and it is a headache to even go to work for the day. It used to be a great place for young, inexperienced reporters to make their start. But, recently, I wouldn’t recommend anyone come here just because of the way they will be treated, abused and used.”
News Director: Janis Harper
“She is shady, non-collaborative, and non-communicative.”
While working for WEAU this person experienced:
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“WEAU is a great starter station but typically no one stays after their first contract. In the time that I’ve worked there moral has significantly decreased, people are fed up and want to walk out, and on top of it we don’t make a livable wage.
The creative service manager and the production manager and wonderful and collaborative and listen and communicate. The news director and the general manager or two of the most toxic individuals I’ve ever had to work with.
We thought that when our previous news director left things would be better, but it has only gotten worse and I’ve been told to pick my battles because there will be retaliation and that nothing will change until there are different people in those positions.
However, the anchors and reporters and other personnel of the station are wonderful. The station is a good place to learn for a first job and then move on once you have experience under your belt.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“Many full-time employees have second jobs to make ends meet, the handling of the pandemic was great in the first few months and then significantly changed course, they only care about the reputation and not their employees.”
News Director: Rick McLaughlin
Experience described as: “Traumatizing”
While working for WAPT this person experienced:
Sexual Harassment, An Overall Toxic Work Environment
“I was sexually harassed and emotional drained by the end of my employment.”
This person describes the overall newsroom environment as:
Unorganized, Educational, Negative, Toxic
Additional comments:
“If you would like to be made a human punching bag by management and anchors, work here. You will learn a lot but not without needing therapy in the long run.”
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 incompet