The newsroom staff at Observer Media have told management that they are frustrated with their supervisor and cited her as the source of discord and low productivity within the organisation.
In a letter to management, signed by every member of the newsroom, the journalists described an environment of gossip, negativity and unprofessionalism and accused the Newsroom Manager Martina Johnson of spreading rurmours about other employees.
“We are concerned that the newsroom manager has communicated to staff at various times, information which we feel can only justifiably be classified as gossip and that this has fostered mistrust between staff and mistrust between management and staff,” the letter read.
The team shared examples of Johnson relaying allegations of sexual relationships between female members of staff and a male radio host.
“These and other accounts, which we consider to be gossip, have been shared by the newsroom manager as hearsay or information which she claims to have come by from other members of staff or non-employees.”
At the same time, the staff complained that the newsroom manager shared information involving herself and presented herself as the victim of gossip.
“Respectfully, we believe that it is inappropriate for anyone, much less a manager to communicate with staff in this way,” the memo read.
Additionally, the news reporters complained that criticism of their performance was not being shared in a constructive manner but was rather being used as a weapon of embarrassment.
“We are concerned that the newsroom manager routinely shares criticisms of any member of staff’s performance with other members of staff as opposed to raising such issues with the subject of her criticism and that this has the potential to foster a lack of respect among members of staff for their colleagues,” the workers wrote.
They added that this practice was causing subordinate staff to view their superiors with disdain; and that the practice was fueling a “highly divisive” and disharmonious workplace.
“We are concerned that there appears to be a general lack of direct, positive, constructive criticism and correction communicated by the newsroom manager…”
Antigua News Room (ANR) was informed that employees are also unhappy with the response to their documented concerns by management which has dismissed it as a “mob attack” on Johnson.
Management gave a non-committal response to the staff saying that it was the company policy that they not engage in personal matters between staff without giving the accused a fair change at reply.
“We make a deliberate point not to allow any ‘he said, she said’ situation that provides only one side of the story nor do we encourage any mob attack on a single person,” a memo by Chief Operating Officer Darren Derrick read.
“Where there are personal conflicts or behavior as detailed in this section, we ask that the allegations be specific and management will be happy to moderate a one-on-one meeting so that grievances can be aired, defended, as necessary, and a resolution secured,” he ended
In a recently leaked document made public, Observer management instructed staff that, because of financial difficulties, they were expected to function in more than one distinct role on the same shift. The management told the staff that being a journalist was “more than a job” and that they should have “passion” for the work. Management also told staff that working for a paycheque was the wrong reason to be doing their job.
Meantime, staff told ANR they take issue with management turning their complaints back at them and accusing unnamed members of “stealing, sabotage and leaking.”
In the same memo to staff, management described an “anti-Observer movement” inside of the company.
“…there are some who have a ‘bad mind’ against Observer and are doing what they can to disrupt and harm the organisation and threaten your livelihood,” the memo read.
Antigua News Room reached out to Johnson and Observer Media Chief Operations Officer Darren Derrick for a comment but received no response.
Since the untimely death of Observer Media Founder Winston Derrick in 2013, and a transfer of management control to his nephews and niece-in-law, the company has been hemorrhaging long-serving members of staff, some citing low morale, a lack of trust, and a burdensome work load.
The company has experienced a relatively high turnover in news room, and other department, staff.
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So Observer does not care about the environment in which their employees are made to work? And they also don’t think the workers should work for a pay cheque? So, what precisely do they view as their duties as employer?
The allegations are not surprising but management’s response speaks more about them. I guess Harvey Weinstein was attacked by a mob as well, and Kevin Spacey on House of Cards. How dare the workers unite to express their concerns?
Observer thinks there is an anti-Observer movement external to the media group when asked to pay their bills, and they also think there is a similar movement within. It is said that if you think the problem is everyone else, it may be good to actually look at yourself and your own practices.
Appreciated and respected employees do better work.
Not surprised that Martina Johnson is linked with allegations of gossip, discord, and unprofessionalism. It reflects on her “work” and obviously her “journalistic standards” are lower than the price of 2 cotton panties from the meegoman store on market street.
Winston must be rolling over in his grave to see what his legacy (through blood, sweat, and tears) have come to. Instead of focusing on negativity, OMG would be better off focusing on new ideas to revamp its presence as the premier mediahouse in the country. As the saying goes “while your mind my business, yours a get way”
Ok, you said it all even better. Wha you saying though: panties practically giving ‘way on Market Street? LMAO
Winston had such great vision for the expansion of the business; it’s sad what it has come to: with its inaccuracies, lack of responsibility, political pandering and appearance of bias. And now to top it off management doesn’t even seem to care about the employees? And doesn’t even want to look into the root of the problem??
And it’s not a “mob attack”: they need to understand the disparity in power when the issue is with a superior: of course they would feel safer in joining together to raise concerns.
I guess the entire newsroom staff unanimously decided to lie on her, and sign their name in writing. Poor thing.
What chubble dis here be now? The January 19, 2017 headline of their paper read “APUA attempts to silence OBSERVER” and now its own EMPLOYEES are being accused of being part of an “anti-Observer movement”?? Why are soooo many people “OUT TO GET” Observer?
What you expect from a Guyanese? That’s par for the course. Always embroiled in Bring Go Carry Come. I’ve been a chief complainer for years about the low standard of journalism I’ve been reading for years. We know who the Bad Apple is, get rid of it before she spoils the entire bunch.
……..Oga not easy naaaaaah !!! I hope de male host is not from Potters……cause if he is, I have ZERO comments. Aiiiiii !!!
What would expect, they work for Derricks, not the old Derricks……but the so called spoil brats
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