Fiona Ellis-Jones is the Head of News & Information at ARN. She joined ARN after 15 years as a journalist, newsreader, and Editor of Audio News at the ABC. Fiona is the 2024 B&T Women in Media (Journalist) winner and the 2024 Maureen Kerridge Scholar through Chief Executive Women. She is an Ambassador for the Red Nose Foundation and Committee Member with WIM Tasmania.
It’s been a challenging year for our women.
Redundancies. Fragmentation. Misinformation. The ongoing struggle for representation and equality. While I wouldn’t claim to be an expert on success or longevity in media, I’ve picked up a few pearls of wisdom over my two decades in journalism.
Women Supporting Women
Many of my best opportunities have come from other women. I’ve been fortunate to have incredible female mentors like Sandy Aloisi and Helen Thomas, who quietly guided me up the ladder. They gave me opportunities when I didn’t think I was ready, and always had my back when I slipped off the rung. Next year, thanks to the support of the Kerridge Foundation, I’ll have the chance to study Executive Development at Stanford as a Chief Executive Women scholar. There’s no way I could invest in my professional growth without this backing. Look for the women who champion other women. Learn from them. And then become one. Media can be tough, and a strong network of likeminded professionals can help you navigate the challenges. Get involved with industry events and organisations like Women in Media. Project confidence, even when you're unsure – none of us really have it all figured out. Stay grounded, and be kind to others on your way up; you may meet them again on the way down.
Look Beyond the Media Industry
I recently spoke at a career night for communications students at a major Sydney university, something I’ve been doing for the last decade. Every year, the number of bright-eyed journalism students coming through the ranks dwindles. As the industry fragments, traditional media audiences continue to decline. Of that there is no doubt. To stay relevant and safeguard our craft, today’s journalists must diversify. If possible, upskill in another field – business, tech, finance, international relations, law. Being digitally savvy is non-negotiable. As advertising revenues drop and newsrooms shrink, journalists must wear many hats -- producer, reporter, presenter, and storyteller across social, print, video, and audio platforms.
Be Bold
In 2022, my life changed in three beautiful, horrible minutes, when one of my twins was stillborn. Elizabeth’s death rocked me to my core. It fundamentally altered how I viewed my children, my life, and my career. Elizabeth made me invincible. If I could survive losing her, I could survive anything. My husband and I left our safe, long-term jobs and moved from Sydney’s northern beaches to a farm in Tasmania. I returned to my commercial roots, and it was the best personal and professional decision I’ve made. Nothing compares to the buzz of commercial media. Working alongside some of the most talented content makers and executives in the country. That shared drive to succeed and win. A passion for connecting with audiences and telling stories that matter. I would never have taken that leap, if not for her. Be bold, always.
Embrace the Chaos
I now split my time between Sydney and Hobart. With more than half of our 60 journalists based in non-metro newsrooms, it means I can understand firsthand the importance of a thriving live and local media strategy in the regions. I’d be lying if I said the near weekly travel wasn’t exhausting. With four little kids, I feel "mum guilt" every time I leave. My weeks in Sydney are long. And there’s little time for anything but work. But in Hobart, I try to slow down. I prioritise school drop off. I don’t eat at my desk. Of course, things occasionally fall apart – like the time travel delays left my husband and I stranded in different mainland states, leaving us no choice but to ask the new cleaner to mind the kids back in Tassie. She did a great job. But for the most part, the juggle works.
When All Else Fails, Consider Alpacas
I always have a backup plan. An escape route from media, should I ever need to call time. For me, it’s living on a flower farm, teaching yoga, and breeding alpacas. I recently completed my 200-hour yoga teacher training. And we’ve started planting out our Tassie property. Our first three baby alpacas just celebrated their first birthdays. But whenever the fantasy edges a little too close to reality, I get nervous and retreat into the chaos. As any good journo will tell you, the pulse of the newsroom always pulls us back.