The Scream in the Control Room
- Michael
- Jul 27
- 3 min read
“Why We Must End Intolerance in Broadcast”
I’ve heard it too many times.
The shout.
The sigh.
The sarcastic tone over comms.
The scream in the control room.
If you’ve worked in live production, you’ve probably heard it too.
Maybe you were the target.
Maybe you stayed silent.
Maybe you justified it as “pressure,” “urgency,” or “just part of the job.”
But here’s the truth —
It doesn’t matter whether you’re just starting out or 15 years into your career.
We must never normalize aggression, humiliation, or mockery in this industry.
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🎧 A Toxic Culture Is Still Toxic — Even If It’s Technical
I’ve seen talented people — camera operators, EVS operators, engineers — treated like they’re disposable just because they’re new, nervous, or made a mistake.
Here’s what we forget:
• Being better than someone does not give you a license to scream.
• Being faster or more experienced doesn’t mean you’re better in every skill that matters.
• Being under pressure is never an excuse for being cruel.
I’ve worked on top-tier productions, with incredibly tight timing and complex systems. And yes, sometimes the stress is brutal. But the louder someone screams, the more they reveal their lack of leadership, not their competence.
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💡 Courage Is Contagious — But So Is Cowardice
When you hear someone being mocked or attacked — and you say nothing — you’re sending a message. You’re saying,
“This is okay. This is normal. This is how we work.”
That’s how toxic culture spreads.
We often justify our silence by saying:
“It’s not my business.”
“I don’t want to get involved.”
“It’s not worth risking my position.”
But if we all think that way, the problem never ends.
And one day, it could be you on the receiving end — hoping someone says something.
Standing up doesn’t have to be dramatic. Sometimes it’s as simple as:
“Hey, that’s not fair.”
“Let’s stay constructive.”
“Let’s cool it and focus.”
These words matter. They make a difference. They stop the spiral.
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🚪If the Room Feels Wrong, Leave It
If the entire environment turns against you for speaking up — it’s not the right environment.
A good team grows stronger when challenged to be better. A toxic team protects its bullies.
And no matter how prestigious the show or studio —
If the culture is rotten, walk away.
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🌱 We Are What We Tolerate
This industry is built on collaboration, communication, and trust.
It rewards calm heads, reliable hands, and people who can lead under pressure — not scream under pressure.
The greatest changes start with the smallest moves.
So be the one who makes the first move.
Don’t wait for someone else to set the tone.
Be the tone.
⸻
This industry rewards those who show up, stay humble, and prove themselves — again and again.
If you’re one of them, your moment is coming.
Watch. Learn. Broadcast.
Piotr Szymborski
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