Career in Broadcast Journalism - Term Paper

Those planning newspaper or magazine careers usually specialize in news-editorial journalism. To create stories for online media, they need to learn to use computer software to combine online story text with audio and video elements and graphics ("News Analysts").

Tasks, Duties and Responsibilities:

The tasks, duties and responsibilities of a news anchor center on gathering information, preparing stories, and making broadcasts that inform the public about local, state, national, and international events. They may also present viewpoints on current issues. They investigate leads and news tips, research documents, observe events at the scene, and interview individuals. Part of their duties involve taking notes about what they've observed or learned, and they may be charged with taking photographs or shooting videos ("News Analysts").

Once they return to their office, a news anchor typically organizes their material and determines the focus or emphasis of the story. They then may write their stories and even edit accompanying video. In certain instances, newswriters may actually write the story from the information collected ("News Analysts"). This occurs frequently for news anchors who often do little on-scene reporting.

Work Environment:

The working environment for news anchors is typically from comfortable, private offices or in large rooms filled with cubicles of other reporters busily working on their stories. The working hours vary, depending on the news program that the news anchor is working on, whether it is a morning, afternoon or evening newscast. The hours are often erratic, depending on the news for the day. Long hours, irregular schedules, and travel are the norm ("News Analysts").

Future Job Outlook:

Large metropolitan areas and national news stations will continue to be very competitive, for job seekers. Small towns, and suburban areas will offer the most opportunities.

Employment of news analysts, reporters, and correspondents is expected to grow more slowly than average for all occupations through the year 2014. Many factors will contribute to the limited job growth in this occupation. Consolidation and convergence should continue in the publishing and broadcasting industries. As a result, companies will be better able to allocate their news analysts, reporters, and correspondents to cover news stories. Constantly improving technology also is allowing workers to do their jobs more efficiently, another factor that will limit the number of workers needed to cover a story or certain type of news ("News Analysts").

Related Occupations:

There are a several related occupations for news anchors. Because of their typically excellent writing ability, related occupations include: writers, editors, and public relations specialists. In addition, the need for good oral communication leads to related occupations such as: announcers, interpreters, translators, sales, and teachers ("News Analysts").

References

News Analysts, Reporters, and Correspondents. 4 Aug. 2006. Bureau of Labor Statistics. December 9, 2006 http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos088.htm.

News Presenter. 6 December 2006. Wikipedia.org. December 9, 2006 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/News_anchor.

News Reporter. 3 October 2006. Journal Broadcasting Group. December 9, 2006 http://jobs.journalbroadcastgroup.com/TelevisionJobs/tabid/519/ctl/Detail/mid/1199/xmid/3481/xmfid/23/Default.aspx.

Reporter Training. 2005. Television News Center. December 9, 2006 http://www.televisionnewscenter.org/reporter_train.html.