Muck Rack, the software database for journalists and public relation offices, on Tuesday, Sept. 24, released its first “State of Work-Life Balance in Journalism” report examining data from two surveys of nearly 1,800 journalists. The report looks at salary, access to mental health services and burnout among journalists.

Here’s a few key findings:

• Four out of 10 journalists have previously left a job due to burnout.

• 64% of journalists say they work more than 40 hours a week.

• 56% of journalists have thought about quitting this year.

I’d like to say this is surprising. But it’s not, at least it should not be to anyone in the news business who has been paying attention.

The report also has a couple of suggestions for how newsrooms can better support their journalists.

One is offering employees more of a choice in where they do their work.

According to the report, 17% of respondents said they work in an office, but just 11% said that’s their preference, and 44% wanted to be fully remote but 54% actually are, and 45% want a hybrid of office and remote work, while 29% have such a setup.

Newsrooms also need to be better at offering journalists mental health services. Nearly 60% said their workplace does not offer any such services, 17% said they were not sure, and just 24% have access to mental health services at work. EO Media Group reporters do have such access.

This report was timely, though, for us. The week before it dropped, we asked our reporters in Eastern Oregon what we could to do make their workplaces better.

We’re looking forward to those responses, but we’re already looking at training courses or other opportunities for reporters to grow their skills, as well as finding where we can reduce some work stress.

Journalism is tough. We’re striving to make our newsrooms — in office or remote — the kinds of places reporters want to work and excel in. If we don’t, well, we know they will find places that do.

Phil Wright is the managing editor of the East Oregonian.

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As always, if you have comments or questions about the Blue Mountain Eagle, or if you want to pass along a story idea, send an email to me at editor@bmeagle.com. 

And, as I’ve said before, my heartfelt thanks to our subscribers: We simply would be unable to do this vital work without your support.

Bennett Hall is the editor of the Blue Mountain Eagle.

Phil Wright is the managing editor of the East Oregonian.

———

Your digital subscription access has been expanded to include the East Oregonian, La Grande Observer, Hermiston Herald, Baker City Herald, Wallowa County Chieftain, and Blue Mountain Eagle.

For all digital access:

• Register your account on every site you wish to read with the same email address and password you currently use.

• Once you’ve registered, enter your username and password to enjoy the full range of content on that news site.

• You should not have to log in again unless you log out, clear history or experience software updates.

• Save your password when prompted by your browser and if you are inadvertently logged out, your browser can fill in your login and password for you. (Only use this option on your personal digital devices.)

To view the latest e-Editions, be sure to register your account and sign in to www.eastoregonian.com.

Sign up for e-newsletters from each website by going to the “Email lists” link on your account dashboard for each site.

Thank you for supporting local journalists in Eastern Oregon.

If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact us at 800-781-3214 or email support@eomediagroup.com.

———

As always, if you have comments or questions about the Blue Mountain Eagle, or if you want to pass along a story idea, send an email to me at editor@bmeagle.com. 

And, as I’ve said before, my heartfelt thanks to our subscribers: We simply would be unable to do this vital work without your support.

Bennett Hall is the editor of the Blue Mountain Eagle.