News analysts, reporters, and correspondents gather information, prepare stories, and make broadcasts that inform us about local, State, national, and international events; present points of view on current issues; and report on the actions of public officials, corporate executives, interest groups, and others who exercise power.
News analysts—also called newscasters or news anchors—examine, interpret, and broadcast news received from various sources. News anchors present news stories and introduce videotaped news or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters. News correspondents report on news occurring in the large U.S. and foreign cities where they are stationed.
In covering a story, reporters investigate leads and news tips, look at documents, observe events at the scene, and interview people. Reporters take notes and also may take photographs or shoot videos. At their office, they organize the material, determine the focus or emphasis, write their stories, and edit accompanying video material. Many reporters enter information or write stories using laptop computers and electronically submit the material to their offices from remote locations. In some cases, newswriters write a story from information collected and submitted by reporters. Radio and television reporters often compose stories and report "live" from the scene. At times, they later tape an introduction to or commentary on their story in the studio. Some journalists also interpret the news or offer opinions to readers, viewers, or listeners. In this role, they are called commentators or columnists.
Newscasters at large stations and networks usually specialize in a particular type of news, such as sports or weather. Weathercasters, also called weather reporters, report current and forecasted weather conditions. They gather information from national satellite weather services, wire services, and local and regional weather bureaus. Some weathercasters are trained meteorologists and can develop their own weather forecasts. Sportscasters select, write, and deliver sports news. This may include interviews with sports personalities and coverage of games and other sporting events.
General-assignment reporters write about newsworthy occurrences—such as accidents, political rallies, visits of celebrities, or business closings—as assigned. Large newspapers and radio and television stations assign reporters to gather news about specific topics, such as crime or education. Some reporters specialize in fields such as health, politics, foreign affairs, sports, theater, consumer affairs, social events, science, business, or religion. Investigative reporters cover stories that may take many days or weeks of information gathering.
Some publications use teams of reporters instead of assigning each reporter one specific topic, allowing reporters to cover a greater variety of stories. News teams may include reporters, editors, graphic artists, and photographers working together to complete a story.
Reporters on small publications cover all aspects of the news. They take photographs, write headlines, lay out pages, edit wire-service stories, and write editorials. Some also solicit advertisements, sell subscriptions, and perform general office work.
Work environment. The work of news analysts, reporters, and correspondents is usually hectic. They are under great pressure to meet deadlines. Broadcasts sometimes are aired with little or no time for preparation. Some news analysts, reporters, and correspondents work in comfortable, private offices; others work in large rooms filled with the sound of keyboards and computer printers, as well as the voices of other reporters. Curious onlookers, police, or other emergency workers can distract those reporting from the scene for radio and television. Covering wars, political uprisings, fires, floods, and similar events is often dangerous.
Working hours vary. Reporters on morning papers often work from late afternoon until midnight. Radio and television reporters usually are assigned to a day or evening shift. Magazine reporters usually work during the day.
Reporters sometimes have to change their work hours to meet a deadline or to follow late-breaking developments. Their work demands long hours, irregular schedules, and some travel. Because many stations and networks are on the air 24 hours a day, newscasters can expect to work unusual hours.
| 1. | Report and write news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events. |
| 2. | Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a particular story. |
| 3. | Review copy and correct errors in content, grammar, and punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines. |
| 4. | Review and evaluate notes taken about event aspects in order to isolate pertinent facts and details. |
| 5. | Determine a story's emphasis, length, and format, and organize material accordingly. |
| 6. | Research and analyze background information related to stories in order to be able to provide complete and accurate information. |
| 7. | Gather information about events through research, interviews, experience, and attendance at political, news, sports, artistic, social, and other functions. |
| 8. | Investigate breaking news developments such as disasters, crimes, and human interest stories. |
| 9. | Research and report on specialized fields such as medicine, science and technology, politics, foreign affairs, sports, arts, consumer affairs, business, religion, crime, or education. |
| 10. | Receive assignments or evaluate leads and tips in order to develop story ideas. |
| 11. | Discuss issues with editors in order to establish priorities and positions. |
| 12. | Check reference materials such as books, news files, and public records in order to obtain relevant facts. |
| 13. | Revise work in order to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements. |
| 14. | Photograph or videotape news events, or request that a photographer be assigned to provide such coverage. |
| 15. | Develop ideas and material for columns or commentaries by analyzing and interpreting news, current issues, and personal experiences. |
| 16. | Transmit news stories or reporting information from remote locations, using equipment such as satellite phones, telephones, fax machines, or modems. |
| 17. | Present live or recorded commentary via broadcast media. |
| 18. | Conduct taped or filmed interviews or narratives. |
| 19. | Edit or assist in editing videos for broadcast. |
| 20. | Write columns, editorials, commentaries, or reviews that interpret events or offer opinions. |
| 21. | Write reviews of literary, musical, and other artwork based on knowledge, judgment, and experience. |
[Back to Top]