On average, the media that participated in the survey published about 24 articles a day, including 22 news items. In addition, newsrooms publish an average of about 17.5 non-news items per week.
On average, 5-6 full-time journalists work in the respondents' outlets. At the same time, 94.3% noted that they are not
staffed with all the necessary team members. Among those who are most lacking, the newsrooms pointed out advertising managers (54.3%), SMM specialists (40%), journalists (25.7%), photographers and videographers (25.7%).
Staff shortages have a powerful impact on how and what media outlets produce. If the media outlet sets a clear KPI on the amount of material to be produced by the newsroom during the selected period, this may prompt journalists and editors to evaluate the work done in terms of quantity rather than quality. At the same time, if the newsroom lacks manpower, this could further push the editors to technically easy-to-create materials. However, media analysts
confirm that informing the local community is not the only role that regional media play as such. They are also important for the involvement of local communities in the political life of the region, participation in elections, and keeping the local authorities accountable. It is important for the media to follow what their community, city and region live on. From this point of view, it is important to
maintain the interest of regional newsrooms in creating content in new formats that they could not try due to lack of knowledge or resources.
48.6% of respondents indicated that they lack resources to work with video content, 14.3% — to conduct investigative journalism, another 14.3% — to create multimedia longreads, 11.4% — to create podcasts.
Overall, 77.8% of media outlets publish journalistic investigations. In half of the cases, the investigation is conducted by a journalist who is working on other materials as well.
Respondents also indicated that they wanted to improve their storytelling skills while creating materials and producing investigative journalism stories. Among the thematic areas of the media, business, economics, and finance are of interest — 62.9% of the surveyed newsrooms indicated this.
Diversification of formats and thematic areas in the content is also important to ensure greater sustainability of the media. In this way, the media can reach a larger audience and offer potential partners a wider choice of tools and options for joint projects.
97.1% of the surveyed newsrooms work with video format, while the newsrooms also stated that they need additional training in this area. Journalists also need additional knowledge of the following formats: games, infographics, explainers. A little less - on podcasts and tests.
Diversification in content in the media is present when it comes to working with social networks. 60% make traditional publications for social networks, combining a link to the material and text introduction, 46% add to this type of posts infographics, videos and memes.
63.9% of the surveyed media outlets have developed a stylebook or editorial guidelines for journalists. 75% of the media have a prescribed policy. At the same time, 41.7% would like assistance or advice on the development of these documents.
Regional outlets understand that content alone is not enough, so they work with SMM, marketing, branding and distribution strategies. They also pay attention to data collection and analysis, which allows for better organization of work in the newsroom.