New study shows more employed in local TV news than newspapers for first time in report's history

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According to the 2018 Local News Staffing Report conducted by the Radio Television Digital News Association and Hofstra University, total local TV news employment has surpassed total daily newspaper employment for the first time in the more than 24 years this survey has been conducted. 

The report also shows employment in local TV news hovers at 27,100, just below peak levels in 2001 that reached 27,900. The total employment number did drop 1.8 percent year-over-year, partially attributed to the loss of two local newsrooms.

Another statistic from the report showed the largest proportion of newly created positions over the past year were those dedicated to digital platforms (web, social media or other digital media positions).

"Broadcast newsrooms across the country are adapting," said Dan Shelley, executive director of RTDNA. "They are responding by creating content that can be consumed digitally as more people turn to phones and tablets to stay informed."

According to the report, news directors also indicated they expect staffing levels to either increase or remain the same in the coming year. 

The research was conducted in the fourth quarter of 2017 among all 1,683 operating, non-satellite television stations and a random sample of 3,542 radio stations. Valid responses came from 1,333 television stations (79.2 percent) and 415 radio news directors and general managers representing 1,110 radio stations. 

The Local News Staffing Report is the first in the 2018 series of reports. Additional reports on salaries, diversity, news coverage and business operations will be released in the coming weeks. All 2018 reports, as well as those from previous years, can be found by visiting https://rtdna.org/research.

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