Why TV News Pays So Little
/Former TV News Reporter Claudia Rupcich believes she knows why TV news pays so low and yet people take the job anyway.
I watched the video and while I think what she says is true for some who work in TV news, it certainly is not all and maybe not most.
Watch the video and I give some of my thoughts below.
As I said, I think what she says is true for a number of people who work in TV news. But, in talking to agents, news directors, and general managers, I think there is another reason: it involves so many on-air people in TV news today.
It is not about being a journalist or a passion for TV news; it is about ego and “being on TV.”
Egos and TV news talent are as old as the business itself. But, now, many really care little about the news and care more about being a “personality”.
Look at some of the talent at your station. How many come into the editorial meeting with real news story ideas? How many are fighting for the lead story and trying to make a change in the community?
You will see that many are just willing to do the story handed to them in the meeting, then head out with the big focus being how they will do their stand-up and what to post to social media to get clicks.
There are journalists who care about breaking news, but there are also just egotistical people who want to be on TV. Look in your own newsroom, and you will see what I’m talking about.
Also, ask yourself how the others in the newsroom see you. How does your boss look at you? Do they look at you as a hard news reporter or just someone who helps fill time with some feature with a “look at me” stand-up?
