The master’s thesis examines the experience of stress and personal challenges among television journalists and presenters and is based on an understanding of the media environment as a demanding and often psychologically burdensome space. Television journalism requires individuals to respond quickly, constantly adapt to unpredictable situations, uphold a high level of professional responsibility, and regulate emotions effectively under conditions of constant public exposure. In this context, journalists often face time pressures, organizational demands, and expectations of maintaining a flawless professional image, which can significantly impact their psychological well-being, sense of competence, professional functioning, and the formation of their professional identity.
The aim of the research was to gain an in-depth understanding of how experienced television journalists and presenters experience stress and make sense of the personal challenges accompanying their professional work. The study sought to answer how participants interpret stressful situations, how these situations affect their perception of themselves as professionals, and which strategies they use to maintain psychological balance and long-term professional functionality.
The theoretical framework of the thesis is based on contemporary concepts of psychological stress, burnout, emotional labor, and professional identity in occupations involving public-facing work. Special attention is given to mechanisms of chronic occupational stress that arise as a result of prolonged exposure to high demands combined with limited opportunities for recovery. The thesis also highlights the importance of internal performance standards and the culture of constant availability, further reinforced by the digitalization of the media landscape. Social media and online feedback increase the intensity of public scrutiny and blur the boundaries between professional and private life, which can lead to a sense of persistent psychological burden.
Particular attention is also given to gendered expectations that often shape the career trajectories of women in the media. In addition to professional competence, female journalists frequently face pressures regarding appearance, communication style, and emotional regulation, which can further intensify internal tensions between authenticity and professional role. These circumstances create a complex psychological field in which personal, organizational, and social factors intersect.
The study employs a qualitative research approach using interpretative phenomenological analysis, which allows for an in-depth insight into the subjective experiences of individuals and the ways in which they construct meaning from their experiences. Five television journalists and presenters with several years of experience in news programming participated in the study. Data were collected through semi-structured, in-depth interviews, enabling participants to reflect on their professional experiences, internal processes, and coping strategies. The analysis was conducted systematically, using multi-stage coding, the formation of thematic clusters, and the interpretation of latent meanings reflected in their narratives.
The results of the study indicate that experiences of stress among television journalists are diverse and imbued with internal contradictions. One key source of strain is constant public exposure, encompassing both positive recognition and negative feedback, criticism, and online comments. Participants describe feeling that they must continuously maintain a professional image of confidence, competence, and emotional stability, even when facing personal vulnerability or fatigue.
An important finding of the study is the tension between the professional role and the personal self. Journalists often report internal conflicts between the norm of objectivity and their own emotional responses to distressing events, such as accidents, violence, or humanitarian crises. Prolonged exposure to such content can lead to secondary traumatization, increased emotional sensitivity, or conversely—a gradual emotional distancing that functions as a protective psychological mechanism.
The study further reveals the problem of blurred boundaries between professional and private life. Irregular work schedules, evening shifts, readiness for sudden events, and constant information engagement make psychological detachment from work difficult. Consequently, participants report chronic fatigue, reduced recovery capacity, and feelings of persistent mental activation. In some cases, they also experience guilt when setting personal boundaries, reflecting internalized professional norms of high availability.
Despite significant stressors, the results also highlight important sources of psychological strength and resilience. Participants demonstrate a high degree of reflectivity and actively develop coping strategies for managing stress. Among the most important are psychotherapy support, supervision, regular physical activity, relaxation techniques, mindfulness, and social support from close ones. A protective role is also played by a sense of purpose attributed to their work, as perceiving the social significance of journalism strengthens their motivation and professional perseverance.
The findings suggest that stress among television journalists is not merely an individual phenomenon but reflects broader structural characteristics of the media industry and organizational culture. Therefore, the study emphasizes the importance of systemic approaches to protecting the mental health of media professionals, including access to psychological support, the development of preventive programs, and fostering an organizational environment that allows open discussion of psychological burdens without stigmatization.
This master’s thesis makes an important contribution to understanding the mental health of journalists in the Slovenian context, where this field remains relatively under-researched. It fills a research gap and offers theoretical and practical foundations for developing supportive mechanisms within media institutions. At the same time, it opens possibilities for further research, such as including different media formats, comparative analyses by gender, and longitudinal monitoring of psychological well-being across different stages of a journalism career. The study thus contributes to a broader understanding of the psychological demands of contemporary journalism and the importance of creating sustainable working conditions in the media environment.
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