Time-efficient and time-consuming practices among journalists in communicating with the sources

Abstract

The aim of this study was to observe how journalists manage their time and what are the most time-consuming practices. Empirical data were gathered by using a non-participant observation in a national daily newsroom and two participant observations in a national daily and in a local newspaper newsroom in Estonia. There were two focus group meetings with journalists with less than five years of experience in May 2016 and in September 2016. Results show that journalists with less than five years of experience had trouble with managing their time; for example, they mainly contacted the source via e-mail, which led to stress-induced situations and the usage of questionable sources. Journalists with more than five years of experience had established routines and managed to divide time between different topics simultaneously. They were reluctant to use e-mails and relied mainly on traditional methods: calling or meeting the source.

Communication between editors and reporters: Feedback and coaching in Estonian dailies’ newsrooms

“…The people who suffer the most from stress in a newsroom are desk personnel, because they are the last ones to receive the articles, often very close to the deadline, so they have limited time to edit it (Ternes et al, 2017). And as younger journalists are in the midst of developing their skills, routines, and time management (Ivask et al, 2017), editors as coaches could be at hand to improve the work environment and the capability to overcome difficulties.…”

“…The state of precariousness and lack of professional communication could lead to a situation where older, more experienced journalists are let go and substituted with younger, less experienced journalists, but as younger ones lack experience and capability of time management (Ivask et al, 2017) and examples from whom to learn in the newsroom (as the situation is completely new with new demands and expectations), this could then lead to an accumulation of stress and burnout and, in turn, high numbers of turnover (Chen & Spector, 1992;Fitness, 2000).…”