Russian Radio Journalist and Their Job: Research into Motivation and Job Satisfaction

Abstract

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.