Station's Ratings
News Dirctors
MMJ (OMB) Job details
Yearly salary
Contract2 years
Paired with a photogN/A
Station market rank#1
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.
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.
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.
Stan Sanders
An asshole
An Overall Toxic Work Environment
Stan would make me feel like nothing I did mattered. He would try to blame me for things that weren’t my fault. He would scream at me in front of other employees. It’s hard to work for someone who’s extremely negative and always has a smart comment to say. Surprised nobody decked him in the face.
Don’t work there as long as he is the news director. He is an asshole who needs to be fired from his job.
Stan Sanders
Stan is an okay ND. He's not big on constructive criticism. In my opinion he would point out problems without lending solutions. The biggest issue I had was his lack of planning. The ND also does the schedule only 2 weeks in advance. Which sucks if you are wanting to plan vacations or make plans on what should be your days off.
WBBJ a good start. Do your time and get out. You won't make much money but thats "normal" Overall working in Jackson is good. The people are nice, government officials are easy to work with. When it comes to news coverage WBBJ isn't a proactive station, reactive at best. Scheduling is horrible and lacks consistency. Even if you request a vacation months in advance, you may not get confirmation until the month of said request. It always seemed like we were understaffed. You will MMJ, even on live shots. There are two photogs but they are usually on VOSOT patrol. Every once and a while they will work a live shot. WBBJ is a good station to work on yourself, get better, get a solid foundation but the product will not blow your socks off.
