This article presents the results of the first stage of the foresight research project initiated by the Faculty of Journalism at Lomonosov Moscow State University. The investigation was based on 49 in-depth semi-structured interviews with media managers and experts and has revealed that the Russian media system in the next ten years is unlikely to fundamentally change. According to the findings of the research the basic business model in Russia in the next ten years will remain the advertising-driven model. At the same time the level of customization of media content will rapidly increase. The experts believe that development of solutions for non-linear consumption of TV content, spread of mobile applications, hybridization of different types of content will be amongst the most powerful trends. The majority of interviewed experts confirmed that two factors are likely to sustain the significant level of uncertainty in the media system of Russia; firstly, new practices of media consumption, and secondly the probability that the business model may shift.

The aim of this research is to study the impact ща the new technologies on the contemporary news radiobroadcasting. The research methods include a half-structured interview with top managers of Russian news radio stations. The interview showed that digitalization has had a significant influence on almost all aspects of work of the news radio, from searching for information to professional requirements for the staff and the organization structure of the radio’s editorial board. Having analyzed the results of the interview, the authors have made the following inferences. The number of the competences the personnel of a news radio station is to possess has increased. The technological development has led to multitasking in the work of the personnel of a news radio: via the computer and mobile devices, they have to combine searching for information and working on the text with looking through and texting messages, and promoting their content in social networks. Due to its usability and operational efficiency, communication via messengers has almost replaced personal communication, telephone conversations and e-mail writing. As for the effect of digitalization on the economic aspect of radio stations’ activity, it has been ambivalent. On the one hand, it has helped radio stations to minimize expenses on data storage, thanks to the cloud services. On the other hand, the work on the new formats, launch of new applications and hiring content managers have required other expenses. The most common change in the structure of a typical radio editorial board is the emergence of IT departments. However, some aspects of work of news radio stations have remained unchanged despite digitalization. For instance, the use of FM-band is still popular with the market participants, who are not ready for expenses on transition to a new format.

The motivation structure, exhaustion level and satisfaction level among the radio journalists are the least researched aspects both in Russian and foreign journalism. This research is based on leading Russian radio stations journalists and managers interviews and is aimed to portrait a modern radio journalist from the perspective of his attitude to the job. The research showed, that, in general, journalists are satisfied with both their work and the relationship with coworkers and the psychological climate in the editorial office. The salary is the most important motivator for all the radio journalists regardless age, interest in the job, career ambitions, fame ambitions and willingness to change the world. This means, that journalists cant be divided into those ones working for money and working for an idea. All the journalists work for money, however, some of them work, in addition, for an idea. The radio journalists feel their workload as high: about half of them feel physically and emotionally exhausted. Many journalists do overtime work: three quarters of them think themes and materials over, more than a half of them prepare materials. The male radio journalists tend to be more romantic and idealistic, the female radio journalists are often more career-oriented, and, therefore, ready to perform more difficult work without a pay rise and they prefer career to private life. Another important trend is the correlation of age and demotivation. The older journalists are less motivated by being interested in their job, an opportunity to build a career, realizing their full potential, becoming famous and changing the world for the better. However, at the same time the older journalists feel the most comfortable in the editorial office and are more often satisfied with their work, combining demotivation with the highest adaptability.