27/11/2025
IS THE RADIO INDUSTRY INDEED TOXIC?
A NOTE TO YOUNG BROADCASTERS
By Adedayo Oderinu
I do not have empirical evidence, but I'm convinced that half of the population of today's young broadcasters do not like their bosses at work.
From my conversations with a number of them over time, the reasons are similar - tough work schedules, stern feedback, and ruthless criticism.
The summation of these, forms the basis for the now-popular notion, especially among young people of Generation Z, that the radio industry is toxic.
But, is this true? Is the radio industry indeed toxic? Let us explore a few issues about the radio industry first.
1. THE AUDIENCE WANTS YOU PERFECT
Many young people walk into radio jobs with the mindset that their professional inadequacies are not so bad and can be overlooked.
However, the expectation of the audience has pushed the margin of error very close to zero.
When you play your time check, the audience wants to use your clock, to set their time, so the time check must air accurately, even to the second.
When you share information on radio, the audience takes it as authoritative information. The audience does not rethink your news, they believe you are never wrong.
Your bosses therefore have the unfortunate responsibility of ensuring that you not only do your job, but you also aspire to perfection. They want you disciplined to ensure that the audience finds in you, what they think of you.
2. THE NEWSROOM IS A PLACE FOR CRITICISM
News is sacred! Your station has on its hands, the enormous task of ensuring that you deliver news accurately, professionally, and strictly according to specified house rules.
Aside from the audience expecting you to be accurate, your station also has mandatory obligations it must fulfill as stipulated by regulators.
So, in the newsroom, you are challenged heavily. You are told very sternly, how much you have to do to be the best of yourself.
Programme Clinics are even worse. Your concepts, presentation, and style, are shredded in your presence, by people who are far more experienced than you.
3. COMPETITIVE EDGE
In the age of commercial radio, competition is tense and your station is not immune to it.
To stay competitive however, your station must play by the highest professional standards possible.
Your bosses must balance the love they have for you, with the demands of the job.
4. THE SHOW HAS TO GO ON
This mantra is one you must be familiar with as a Broadcast Journalist. Your show must go on. The audience is not aware of your malaria, your catarrh, or any other challenge. They just want the show and you must deliver.
It has also been shown that a radio programme relies greatly on consistency to excel. So, you must keep at it to grow a loyal listener base.
So, even if you just got married, the show must go on. You just lost a relative? Just get on the mic. Your money got stolen? Oh! Get that show started immediately.
There is almost no time for emotions as your Station's audience building relies on your consistent delivery of creative content.
5. PEOPLE GOSSIP AT WORK
Think of the radio industry as a sort of sport. In football for example, players have to train, the same way they will play the matches.
This is the same for radio. An OAP's mouth is his tool of trade, and he must constantly exercise it. So, he will have to speak constantly and passionately - about colleagues, about random things, etc.
It's nothing so deep.
So, you walk around the office and find that you are being talked about. Yes, they will. They even talk about superiors too. They talk about the gateman, even the cleaner. They wonder who is dating who in the office. They wonder why A and B are so close.
All are buccal warm-up and while you are uncomfortable with it, I beg to inform you that it won't stop. Those who hustle with the mouth must keep the mouth working.
Keep your head in your work, and make yourself valuable to the organization.
6. WORKPLACE ROMANCE
When a new female OAP gets their first job, one of the most shocking realities they face first is how the 'boys' swarm over them. 'Toasting' left, right, and centre.
Superiors oh, subordinates oh, colleagues oh, the 'toasting' will come from everywhere.
It has almost become the trademark of not just radio, but the media industry. But, why is this so?
Think of Big Brother Naija. Housemates spend an awfully long amount of time holed up with just themselves, so the heart begins to play tricks. The nearest person, who you would ordinarily not touch with a 5m pole, starts looking attractive and before you know it, emotions begin flying.
The media industry is about the same. Colleagues spend an awfully long amount of time around themselves, so human emotions spring up. And, since you rarely have time to build other relationships outside the workplace anyway, it looks like it just makes sense to try one in the building.
In fact, in some very careless broadcast stations, people do 'coitus' right in the studio. YES! Go find out. What they are unable to do outside work because of the length of time they spend at work, they try to do at work.
7. GROWTH IS NON-LINEAR
In other organizations, growth is linear. You get promoted, and take on new roles as the organization expands.
In the radio industry, your growth is not so linear. Most stations rarely review staff salaries until it almost becomes a crisis. Aside from that, there are only a few higher levels you can attain as an OAP.
You are 20 OAPs, but there is only one Head of Programmes. The only growth any of you can attain is to become HOP, only if the current one leaves. When he leaves, if he leaves, 20 of you will struggle to take his place. One gets lucky, and the rest of you have to remain OAPs...that is if the station does not recruit a replacement from outside.
To really grow however - get salary upgrades, higher roles, and move up the ladder - you may have to move from a station to another, after building enough broadcast experience, and social contacts that make you merit higher roles.
8. SOME MEMBERS OF THE AUDIENCE ARE EVIL
Ask any experienced OAP and they will tell you some listeners can be downright silly.
Yours sincerely has had a fair taste of this. I was even accused of collecting a 15m bribe because I could not pick calls on a show!
A listener once called a colleague after her show to ask her why she does not dress up with Niqob, despite running Islamic programmes. Oh! He rained insults on her.
Worse things have happened. But then, you are on the mic to serve them all - the wise, the foolish, the downright idiotic.
SO, IS THE RADIO WORKPLACE TOXIC?
I think it is easy to describe it as toxic, but I don't like to say it is.
Before walking into a radio job, you must have become physically and emotionally toughened, to be able to withstand real workplace pressure, and drama.
The radio job is a fiercely jealous lover that takes all of your time, and drains almost all of your emotional energy.
This is why you need passion. Real burning passion to keep going in spite of numerous challenges.
Your mental health will be severely tested by your schedule, your colleagues, your audience, and every possible thing within the ecosystem.
Only passion will keep you going.
But, what's there to gain? Maybe everything! I'll discuss these in another post.
Let's keep the airwaves buzzing, shall we?
Much love.
