Neurodiversity: Hidden minority can thrive in news business
Exclusive research from Press Gazette shows that ADHD and autism are widespread among journalists
Welcome to this week’s Future of Media newsletter from Press Gazette on Thursday 18 April, brought to you this week in association with the 30 To Watch: Journalism Awards from MHP Group.
Free to enter, submit your entry by the 19th of April for a chance to be included.
Autism and ADHD are often in the news these days amid what some are calling an “epidemic” and others believe is overdiagnosis.
Science suggests we are in fact gaining greater understanding of two significant minority groups who face profound challenges, but also bring unique skills to the workplace because of the different way their brains are wired.
Two weeks ago we sent out a questionnaire to all the readers of this newsletter and heard from 46 of you who have ADHD and 24 who have autism (including 13 who have both conditions).
Given only a small proportion will respond to a survey like this it looks like there may be a hidden army of army of neurodivergent colleagues. Most keep their conditions secret. Some say our industry can be a haven for people like them but others have encountered significant barriers and ignorance from their employers.
Some 46% out of 136 respondents said they were neurodivergent, though it should be noted that our survey sample was self-selecting.
The survey findings reveal the strengths people with autism and ADHD can bring to a career in media and the challenges they face.
On the same theme I’ve spoken to two inspiring young journalists about how they have overcome the challenge of being neurodivergent to carve out successful careers in media: Times Radio journalist with ADHD Darryl Morris and freelance reporter and editor with autism Lydia Wilkins.
Dr Nancy Doyle has also written for us about the science behind neurodiversity, why those with autism and ADHD can be a great fit for media roles and what employers can do to support them.
If, like me, you’ve previously not given much thought to how you can promote neurodiversity in your organisation you are missing a trick. The news industry has big challenges ahead and we are not going to solve them by only employing people who think the same way.
Promoted awards
Applications for MHP Group's 30 To Watch: Journalism awards are open.
Returning for their 13th year, the free-to-enter awards celebrate the best and most influential journalists in the UK aged 30 and younger.
Entries are invited across ten categories: City & Business; Culture, Entertainment & Lifestyle; Health; International Affairs; News & Investigations; Personal Finance & Consumer Affairs; Politics; Production; Science, Environment & Technology and Sport (new for 2024).
You can enter or nominate via this short form.
Deadline for entries is 19th April.
New from Press Gazette
Survey: Autism and ADHD widespread in media, but so is neurodiversity ignorance
"I've been a journalist for 20 years and I think the media is FULL of neurodiverse people. Journalism is supposed to be a perfect job for us, right?”
ADHD and autism in media: How to help neurodivergent colleagues thrive
Autistic and ADHD brains can be perfect for careers in media if people are given the right support.
Freelance journalist Lydia Wilkins says autism strengths led to ‘detail freak’ nickname
Getting a staff job proved impossible for Lydia Wilkins but she has thrived as a freelance.
Times Radio’s Darryl Morris: ADHD is ‘perfect for journalism’
Presenter found his niche when school radio station was set up.
Also on Press Gazette this week
Hugh Grant settles claim against Sun publisher due to risk of £10m legal costs
More women in top roles as media industry gender pay gap slowly narrows
Top 50 biggest news websites in the world: Newsweek doubles visits year-on-year in March
Sun and Mail neck and neck in terms of UK audience reach – but one edges ahead
Newsguard downgrades credibility scores for New York Times, GB News and Daily Star
Google trials removal of California news sites in response to proposed ‘link tax’
Our latest podcast
Podcast 69: How different minds can thrive in news media
Press Gazette editor Dominic Ponsford talks about exclusive new research on the prevalence of neurodiversity in news media. He also speaks to Times Radio journalist Darryl Morris and freelance journalist Lydia Wilkins about the benefits and challenges ADHD and autistic thinkers can bring to jobs in journalism.
Press Gazette live
Entries are now OPEN for the Future of Media Awards 2024 (which celebrate the best journalism-based digital products). Check out the full list of categories here. Note: These awards are free to enter.