The MMJ became a McJob: The McDonaldization of multimedia journalism

Dean Cummings

doi:10.17646/KOME.75672.55

The MMJ became a McJob: The McDonaldization of multimedia journalism

Dean Cummings

Communication Arts

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Broadcast news corporations want to make the Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) a vital part of their future employee structure. This study examines the present use of the MMJ method in television news production. A sample of television news professionals, from all DMA markets, was surveyed. The results show expertise in one skill is not required, but overall ability to complete tasks is desirable. The consequence is a “McDonaldization” of the profession. TV managers give new hires minimal training and work is routinized. The MMJ is becoming a “McJob”; attracting young workers with transitional goals for future career employment opportunities.

Original language	English
Pages (from-to)	23-42
Number of pages	20
Journal	KOME
Volume	8
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.17646/KOME.75672.55
State	Published - 2020

Scopus Subject Areas

Communication
Linguistics and Language

Keywords

Burnout
Labor process theory
Multimedia journalism
News business
News production

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10.17646/KOME.75672.55

Cite this

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title = "The MMJ became a McJob: The McDonaldization of multimedia journalism",

abstract = "Broadcast news corporations want to make the Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) a vital part of their future employee structure. This study examines the present use of the MMJ method in television news production. A sample of television news professionals, from all DMA markets, was surveyed. The results show expertise in one skill is not required, but overall ability to complete tasks is desirable. The consequence is a “McDonaldization” of the profession. TV managers give new hires minimal training and work is routinized. The MMJ is becoming a “McJob”; attracting young workers with transitional goals for future career employment opportunities.",

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AB - Broadcast news corporations want to make the Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) a vital part of their future employee structure. This study examines the present use of the MMJ method in television news production. A sample of television news professionals, from all DMA markets, was surveyed. The results show expertise in one skill is not required, but overall ability to complete tasks is desirable. The consequence is a “McDonaldization” of the profession. TV managers give new hires minimal training and work is routinized. The MMJ is becoming a “McJob”; attracting young workers with transitional goals for future career employment opportunities.

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The MMJ became a McJob: The McDonaldization of multimedia journalism

Abstract

Scopus Subject Areas

Keywords

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