E31 Burnout in the Newsroom: What the Research Tells Us (And What We Can Do About It)

In this episode of The Compassionate Newsroom , Dr. Kortni Alston Lemon explores the rising crisis of burnout among journalists and newsroom leaders. Drawing from the latest research conducted by the Reynolds Journalism Institute, Dr. Kortni shares insights about the widespread impact of burnout across the profession, the culture of silence that surrounds it, and the systemic challenges that perpetuate it. She also offers practical, evidence-based strategies for creating more compassionate, sustainable newsroom environments.

What You'll Learn:

• How burnout is affecting both journalists and newsroom leaders

• Key findings from RJI's research on burnout in journalism

• Cultural factors that contribute to burnout in the industry

• Tangible steps for fostering psychological safety and well-being in newsrooms

Resources Mentioned:

• Reynolds Journalism Institute’s burnout research

• The KALM Institute for Workplace Wellbeing: www.kalminstitute.org

• Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training for news professionals waitlist

• Follow us on LinkedIn: The Compassionate Newsroom Podcast Network

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Compassionate Journalism
02:51 Understanding Burnout in Journalism
06:18 The Impact of Burnout on the Industry
07:39 Strategies for Addressing Burnout
10:56 Creating a Culture of Wellbeing