Reporters and Correspondents

Collect and analyze facts about newsworthy events by interview, investigation, or observation. Report and write stories for newspaper, news magazine, radio, or television.

Job Task

• Investigate breaking news developments such as disasters, crimes, and human interest stories.
• Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a particular story.
• Check reference materials such as books, news files, and public records in order to obtain relevant facts.
• Conduct taped or filmed interviews or narratives.
• Determine a story's emphasis, length, and format, and organize material accordingly.
• Gather information about events through research, interviews, experience, and attendance at political, news, sports, artistic, social, and other functions.
• Receive assignments or evaluate leads and tips in order to develop story ideas.
• Report and write news stories for publication or broadcast, describing the background and details of events.
• Research and analyze background information related to stories in order to be able to provide complete and accurate information.
• Review and evaluate notes taken about event aspects in order to isolate pertinent facts and details.
• Review copy and correct errors in content, grammar, and punctuation, following prescribed editorial style and formatting guidelines.
• Revise work in order to meet editorial approval or to fit time or space requirements.
• Develop ideas and material for columns or commentaries by analyzing and interpreting news, current issues, and personal experiences.
• Discuss issues with editors in order to establish priorities and positions.
• Edit or assist in editing videos for broadcast.
• Photograph or videotape news events, or request that a photographer be assigned to provide such coverage.
• Present live or recorded commentary via broadcast media.
• Research and report on specialized fields such as medicine, science and technology, politics, foreign affairs, sports, arts, consumer affairs, business, religion, crime, or education.
• Transmit news stories or reporting information from remote locations, using equipment such as satellite phones, telephones, fax machines, or modems.
• Write columns, editorials, commentaries, or reviews that interpret events or offer opinions.
• Write reviews of literary, musical, and other artwork based on knowledge, judgment, and experience.

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