GBH’s general manager is resigning from Boston public station: ‘Make room for a new leader’

One of GBH’s leaders is leaving the Boston public station following reports that GBH is eyeing cost-cutting moves.

Pam Johnston, GBH’s general manager for news, has announced that she’s resigning after four years in the role.

While Johnston is departing amid the tough financial times for the media outlet, she’s also stepping down following an internal investigation into newsroom culture, according to GBH.

“I have decided the time is right for me to step aside to make room for a new leader to guide the next chapter at GBH News,” Johnston wrote to staff on Monday.

Before becoming general manager, Johnston arrived at GBH in 2012 as Frontline’s first director of audience development, where she’s credited with substantial audience growth.

She became general manager of GBH News in early 2020 at the start of the pandemic.

“Since then, Pam has been a change-maker in the newsroom,” GBH leaders wrote to staff on Monday. “She helped build a talented and diverse team of reporters, producers, editors and hosts, among others, who cover a wide range of stories, from breaking news to in-depth investigations.”

“Pam is well-versed in modern audience metrics and a champion for digital innovation, pushing to expand how we deliver news and information to audiences where they are — and that’s increasingly on digital and streaming platforms,” the GBH leaders added. “Our overall audience reach has doubled in the last five years because of this digital growth.”

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GBH eyes cost-cutting measures for Boston public station: ‘We are looking at a variety of ways to address this’

Meanwhile, GBH recently announced that the public station is looking at cost-cutting measures.

During the fiscal year that ended last June, GBH’s total operating expenses were $288.3 million, while the station’s total operating revenue came in at $269.6 million — for a deficit of $18.6 million. The total decrease in net assets was $15.3 million.

“Costs associated with providing trusted local and national programs are increasing, due in part to overall economic inflation,” reads GBH’s annual report. “Support for GBH continues to be strong but has not kept pace with expense growth.”

Debra Adams Simmons will be in charge of GBH News, effective immediately, until a permanent leader is named.

“Pam will be ending her time at GBH on May 31,” the GBH leaders wrote. “We’d like to thank her for her many contributions and wish her the best in her future endeavors.”

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