Addressing burnout in journalism means flexible shifts, more supportive culture — results of large-scale survey from RJI and SmithGeiger

The Reynolds Journalism Institute (RJI) at the Missouri School of Journalism, in partnership with research firm SmithGeiger, today released the results of one of the largest surveys ever conducted on burnout in the journalism industry. A white paper, based on responses from 1,140 active and former journalists, is available here, and the data is available to researchers nationwide who can contact rji@rjionline.org to learn more.

 

A roadmap for preventing burnout in journalism

This RJI white paper offers evidence-based insights and practical steps newsrooms can take to create healthier, more sustainable work environments.

 

Ongoing Work and Impact

Insights from the Four-Day Workweek Workshop

In March 2025, RJI hosted a workshop for a cohort of television stations interested in rethinking newsroom schedules—specifically exploring flexible hours and 4-day work weeks. The event provided participating newsrooms with tools and strategies to pilot alternative work models aimed at easing burnout and improving retention.

You can read more about the workshop and key takeaways in our story: The four-day newsroom? How a bold schedule shift could eas burnout and boost retention

Educational Resources Now Available

A teaching module based on our burnout research is now available for college journalism instructors through Canvas Commons (for those with access to Canvas). The module—Understanding and Addressing Burnout in Journalism—is designed to help students explore the causes and consequences of burnout and to build strategies for resilience.

This resource is grounded in our research with more than 1,000 current and former journalists and is ideal for classroom integration or professional development.

Related stories

For more information, follow our series Addressing Burnout, featuring stories about RJI and SmithGeiger’s research, as well as stories by columnists and fellows.