Reporter Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a reporter. Feel free to use our reporter job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a reporter.
Who is a Reporter?
Reporters provide information via written and verbal communication about local, national and international. They work for one of many outlets: newspapers, magazines, or radio stations, as well as online publications and sites.
Reporters often have multiple tasks that they perform in their day. These tasks can vary depending on the news in the world.
Reporters use investigative research skills to find the details of an event or story and then present the facts to the public. Reporters could investigate local or global events and sometimes may also conduct field investigations. Reporters may specialize in specific topics such as politics, weather, or sports. This information may be delivered by the reporter via newspaper, magazine, or digital platform.
Reporters and correspondents, also known as journalists, gather news and information to inform the public about important events. There are many sources they use to get their information. They may be able to obtain their information through personal interviews, contacts, and wire services (news sent via satellite dishes), briefings, and question-and-answer periods.
The reporter collects the information and then relays it to the public. News correspondents are essential for keeping their viewers, listeners, and readers informed in newspapers, magazines, radio, and television stations.
Reporters play an active part in gathering current news information. They spend a lot of time researching news and then sending it in for publication. Some of them work as correspondents in offices far away from the head office.
Reporting is a two-sided job, whether it’s for a newspaper or TV channel. A reporter gathers all information necessary to create a story. Then, he or she edits it to fit a particular news page or bulletin.
Sometimes, reporters work in a specific “beat” that matches their writing talents. A beat is a term used to describe the topic or area that a journalist covers. It could be crime, politics, business, and so on. They can work in one or more beats depending on how large a news organization is.
Reporters work for two types of newspapers: weeklies and dailies. Reporters working for dailies often have less time to find the news and report it. They might only work on one beat. Weeklies reporters have more time and are often required to cover multiple beats at once. Photographers may be also required to take photos for stories.
Radio and television reporters often have less time than newspaper journalists to write and edit. Many times, the news is broadcast immediately following or during an event. This area has a lot of reporters who quickly learn how to transform the information they receive into news clips that are suitable for broadcasting.
Broadcast news analysts, correspondents, and reporters are often responsible for researching news stories and other topics assigned by their news director. Interviews are conducted to obtain information and opinions on a story or article. They write articles for newspapers, magazines, blogs, and radio, as well as scripts that can be used on television or radio.
Reporters and broadcast journalists need to build relationships with experts and contacts who can provide them with tips and leads. They should ensure that the audience understands the news and interpret it correctly. They must be able to interact, work with others, and possess objectivity, persistence, and communication skills. They should be able to use computers and have the ability to work at a high level of stress.
Journalism has many forms, which means that there are many types of reporting. Many roles can be played in reporting:
- Assignment Reporters (Media Correspondents)
Assignment reporters are also known as media correspondents or general assignment reporters. They cover notable news stories in their respective news coverage areas. As an assignment reporter, you will write stories about community news events such as celebrity visits or car accidents, as assigned by editors.
- Beat Reporters
A beat reporter is a specialist in a specific area, such as shopping or the environment. These reporters are sometimes called specialist reporters because they keep current in their field to find new stories and inform the public.
- Columnists
Columnists can add their thoughts to assignments and beat reports. To make their opinions sound, they may be experts in a specific field.
- Sports and Weather Reporters
Many media outlets employ specialists in weather and sports. These reporters often have advanced degrees, such as meteorologists who have degrees or sports reporters who studied or played sports at college or professional levels.
Reporter Job Description
Below are the reporter job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a reporter job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
The duties and responsibilities of a reporter include the following:
- Gathering, verifying, and analyzing all newsworthy information
- Combining your findings to create a stable story
- Broadcasting or publishing news stories
- Getting assignments or research news leads/tips
- Respecting the codes and ethics of journalism
- Interviewing, contacting, and researching sources
- Keeping notes and making audio recordings
- Collaborating with reporters, editors, producers, etc.
- Keeping up to date with current events by attending events, studying papers, and staying informed.
- Keeping up to date with all local and international happenings
- Writing and editing stories to broadcast.
- Verifying the information given by interviewees
- Finalizing the news content
- Reporting on events of public interest.
- Reporting on newsworthy events, prerecorded and scripted.
- Interviewing eyewitnesses, officials, and other people interested in news stories.
- Assisting with the security and maintenance of equipment and traveling to events.
- Collaborating with cameramen and other members in a reporting team.
- Assisting the organization at press briefings, events, and interviews.
- Assuring professionalism in appearance, language usage, and conduct throughout reports.
The following are other important tasks:
- Researching reports
New reporters spend a lot of time researching reports to make sure the information they have is accurate and current.
- Investigating claims
Sometimes, research requires in-depth investigation to discover new details or break a story.
- Interviewing witnesses and experts
Reporters often interview people to support their stories. Interviewees can be witnesses or experts on the subject.
- Writing stories
Reporters create stories for print and broadcast.
- Copy editing
Many journalists participate in proofreading and editing to ensure that their writing is correct and error-free.
- Building relationships
Reporters must build relationships with people in their field. A political reporter, for example, will establish a professional relationship in the field with people who work in politics.
- Information parsing
A reporter may encounter a lot of information while researching a story. They use their skills and knowledge to organize and clarify all of their findings into a coherent and understandable piece.
- Update stories
Reporters may revisit old broadcasts or stories and add new facts or updates as they gain more information.
Qualifications
To become a reporter, you may need to complete certain education and training requirements.
Education
Reporters usually need at least a bachelor’s degree. Journalism and communications are two examples of relevant fields. A master’s degree may be preferred by broadcasters and larger newspapers. Coursework will include interviewing, journalism techniques, ethics, and economics. Students who wish to be effective reporters and have the knowledge to cover a particular topic will need to take different relevant courses.
Training
Students who are interested in becoming reporters can begin training while still at school. Reporters can gain valuable reporting skills by working with yearbook clubs or the school newspaper. Internships can provide students with hands-on experience within the reporting industry. Internships can also be chosen in the field or medium that students prefer to work in. This will allow them to make valuable connections with professionals who may help them get a job once they graduate.
Certification
Most reporters don’t require certifications. Reporters who are interested in working in a particular industry might benefit from certifications such as:
- Certified Broadcast Meteorologist, (CBM).
For reporters interested in covering weather-related news stories, the Certified Broadcast Meteorologist certification will be a great choice. The American Meteorological Society offers this certification. It requires a bachelor’s degree and some years of work experience.
- Accreditation in Public Relationships (APR).
An APR certificate is offered by the Public Relations Society of America. It can be a great way to demonstrate your ability in media relations and communications management. Candidates must apply, take a panel presentation, and pass an online exam to earn an APR. This certification is valid for three years and must be renewed by professionals who have completed continuing education in the field.
Essential Skills
- Communication skills
Communication is an essential skill for reporters. The main duty of a reporter is to communicate clearly to their audience.
- Computer literacy
Reporters often use computers to research stories and broadcast them.
- Interpersonal skills
Reporters must build relationships with their audiences. They must also get along with their interviewees and sources to do their job effectively.
- Persistence
It can take time to collect all the information needed for a story and it may take multiple attempts to reach a person or an organization. In this kind of circumstance, a reporter has to be persistent.
- Stamina
Reporters often work irregular and unpredictable hours, depending on the news of each day. They should have the physical and mental stamina they need to do their job well.
How to Become a Reporter
- Sharpen your skills while at high school
It is never too late to begin developing your skills if you are interested in becoming a reporter. Public speaking skills are essential for broadcast journalists reporting live on radio or television. You can improve your public speaking skills by joining a debate club at high school or any other organization. Writers who work as reporters should also strive to improve their writing skills.
- Earn a degree
Earn a bachelor’s degree at college or university after high school. Nearly all news outlets require or expect their reporters to hold a bachelor’s level of education. You might consider majoring in journalism, communications, or another related field. For students who are interested in broadcasting, there may be programs offered by some schools.
- Look for a job
Whether you are still in school or after graduation, consider applying for internships with your favorite news organization. News reporting is a competitive field. An internship can give you the experience and connections that will help you get a job easily.
- Consider getting a higher degree
To further your education and skills, you can choose to get a master’s degree in your chosen reporting area. A master’s degree in journalism can give you an edge over other applicants when looking for a job and connect you to potential network contacts who may help you find work after graduation.
- Make a reel
Reporters are often asked to submit reels by employers in the TV news industry. Record all segments of your reporting experience while in school (undergraduate or graduate) and during internships or other experience-building opportunities. The reel will show potential employers your past work, screen presence, and ability to report on the news.
- Flexibility is key
News reporting is a highly competitive job. Being flexible in your job search will help you find a job. To help you get the experience and skills necessary to achieve your dream job, you can apply for jobs outside your area.
Where to Work
Reporters spend a lot of their time in the field. They may work part-time, receiving stories when they are available, while others might work full-time, splitting their time between developing stories and pitching ideas. The following are the work characteristics that a reporter should expect:
- Standing for long periods
- Frequent communication and interaction with interviewees, witnesses, and other sources
- Frequent traveling locally and internationally is a must
- Unconventional work schedules
The expected work environment can be determined by the industry the reporter works in. Reporters who focus on finance and business topics will spend more time in financial offices interviewing executives and analysts. Reporters who specialize in weather stories might spend a lot of time studying weather patterns and communicating directly with people affected by them.
Reporter Salary Scale
The expected salary for a reporter will depend on where they live, what type of work they do, and how much experience they have. Reporters may work part-time or on a contractual basis. This can impact the expected salary. General reporters may earn more if they have industry-specific experience.
The average salary in the U.S. is $35,061 per annum.
