Journalists

Key Responsibilities

• Take pictures or video, and process them for inclusion in a story.
• Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organize this material into appropriate formats.
• Conduct taped or filmed interviews or narratives.
• Report news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.
• Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
• Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
• Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
• Analyze and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
• Establish and maintain relationships with individuals who are credible sources of information.
• Assign stories to other reporters or duties to production staff.
• Present live or recorded commentary via broadcast media.
• Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
• Write columns, editorials, commentaries, or reviews that interpret events or offer opinions.
• Review written, audio, or video copy, and correct errors in content, grammar, or punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines.
• Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
• Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
• Check reference materials, such as books, news files, or public records, to obtain relevant facts.
• Communicate with readers, viewers, advertisers, or the general public via mail, email, or telephone.
• Investigate breaking news developments, such as disasters, crimes, or human-interest stories.
• Revise work to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements.
• Photograph or videotape news events.
• Report on specialized fields such as medicine, green technology, environmental issues, science, politics, sports, arts, consumer affairs, business, religion, crime, or education.
• Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
• Determine a published or broadcasted story's emphasis, length, and format, organizing material accordingly.
• Review and evaluate notes taken about news events to isolate pertinent facts and details.
• Transmit news stories or reporting information from remote locations, using equipment such as satellite phones, telephones, fax machines, or modems.
• Discuss issues with editors to establish priorities or positions.
• Develop ideas or material for columns or commentaries by analyzing and interpreting news, current issues, or personal experiences.
• Write online blog entries that address news developments or offer additional information, opinions, or commentary on news events.
• Present news stories, and introduce in-depth videotaped segments or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters.