TV News Reporter | Torchora

🎯 Role Definition

As a TV News Reporter, you are the face and voice of our news organization in the community. You are a curious and driven journalist dedicated to finding and telling the stories that matter most to our viewers. This role requires an individual who can handle the pressure of breaking news, dig deep for enterprise and investigative pieces, and present information with clarity, accuracy, and integrity. You will be expected to shoot, write, and edit your own stories (as a Multimedia Journalist or MMJ), engage with our audience on social media, and represent the station with professionalism at all times. This is a fast-paced, deadline-driven career for someone who is passionate about public service and the power of local news.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) in a smaller TV market
News Producer or Associate Producer
Recent Journalism/Communications Graduate with strong internship experience

Advancement To:

Senior Reporter or Lead Reporter
Weekend/Weekday News Anchor
Investigative Reporter or Special Projects Reporter
Assistant News Director or News Director

Lateral Moves:

Public Relations Specialist or Manager
Corporate Communications or Media Relations Officer
Digital Content Producer or Social Media Manager

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Proactively research, investigate, and develop unique and compelling enterprise story ideas on a daily basis, contributing to the station's brand of original reporting.
Conduct live, on-air reports from the field, often during breaking news situations, delivering information clearly and calmly under pressure.
Write clear, concise, and conversational scripts for broadcast newscasts, ensuring factual accuracy and adherence to AP style and station guidelines.
Independently shoot, edit, and produce high-quality video content for daily news packages, VOs, and VOSOTs using non-linear editing software.
Establish, cultivate, and maintain a robust network of credible sources within the community, government agencies, and law enforcement to generate exclusive story leads.
Present news stories on-air and online in a professional, ethical, and unbiased manner that builds trust and credibility with the audience.
Utilize social media platforms strategically to gather news tips, engage with viewers, promote upcoming stories, and provide real-time updates during breaking events.
Perform compelling live and recorded interviews with a diverse range of individuals, from public officials to everyday citizens, asking insightful and probing questions.
Adhere to the highest standards of journalistic ethics, including fairness, accuracy, and a commitment to truth, while understanding and applying libel and privacy laws.
Collaborate effectively with a team of producers, anchors, photographers, and assignment editors to plan and execute daily news coverage.
Actively participate in daily editorial meetings, pitching well-researched story ideas that reflect the interests and concerns of the local community.
Respond with urgency to breaking news, traveling to scenes quickly and safely to gather information and provide live coverage.
Develop expertise on an assigned beat (such as city government, courts, or education), becoming the station's go-to reporter for that subject matter.
Distill complex topics, data, and documents into understandable and visually engaging news reports for a broad audience.
Operate and maintain news gathering equipment, including ENG cameras, microphones, lighting, and live transmission units (e.g., TVU, LiveU).
Perform dynamic and energetic live shots to provide viewers with a sense of immediacy and presence at the scene of a story.
Develop and maintain a strong, professional on-camera presence that is both authoritative and approachable.
Write and publish supplementary content for the station's website and digital platforms, including web articles, photo galleries, and raw video.

Secondary Functions

Represent the station in a positive light at community functions, public events, and school presentations.
Assist in the production of newscasts as needed, which may include writing scripts for other on-air talent or helping the assignment desk.
Mentor and provide guidance to interns and new, less-experienced journalists within the newsroom.
Diligently log and archive video footage and story elements for future access and newsroom use.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Non-Linear Video Editing: Proficiency in Adobe Premiere, Edius, Final Cut Pro, or a similar professional editing software.
ENG Camera Operation: Demonstrated ability to shoot broadcast-quality video with professional ENG/DSLR cameras, including manual control of focus, exposure, and audio.
Newsroom Computer Systems: Experience with industry-standard software such as ENPS or iNews for scriptwriting and newscast production.
Live Transmission Technology: Skilled in operating bonded cellular live units like TVU, Dejero, or LiveU for remote broadcasts.
Broadcast & AP Style Writing: Masterful command of writing for the ear, with a deep understanding of Associated Press style.
Digital Content Management: Ability to post and manage content on various digital platforms, including websites (CMS) and social media channels.
Public Records Research: Experience in filing FOIA requests and navigating databases to obtain documents and data for stories.

Soft Skills

Compelling Storytelling: An innate ability to identify the human element in any story and weave a narrative that captivates and informs.
On-Camera Presence: A confident, credible, and engaging demeanor on camera that connects with viewers.
Resilience Under Pressure: The ability to thrive in a high-stress, deadline-intensive environment, especially during breaking news.
Critical Thinking & Judgment: Strong analytical skills to evaluate information, assess source credibility, and make sound editorial decisions quickly.
Journalistic Ethics & Integrity: An unwavering commitment to truth, fairness, accuracy, and transparency.
Interpersonal & Communication Skills: Excellent ability to build rapport, conduct sensitive interviews, and collaborate effectively with a diverse team.
Adaptability & Flexibility: Ability to pivot quickly as stories evolve, work irregular hours (including nights, weekends, and holidays), and embrace new technologies.
Innate Curiosity: A genuine desire to learn, ask "why," and dig deeper to uncover the truth beyond the surface-level facts.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Education:

Bachelor's Degree in a relevant field of study.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Journalism
Broadcast Journalism
Communications
Political Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

1-3 years of professional on-air reporting experience in a television newsroom. A strong demo reel is required.

Preferred:

Experience as a Multimedia Journalist (MMJ), responsible for shooting and editing your own material. Prior experience in a small to medium-sized television market is highly valued. A valid driver's license and a clean driving record are mandatory.