Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for TV Reporter

🎯 Role Definition

A TV Reporter is the public-facing engine of a news organization, responsible for unearthing, investigating, and presenting news stories to the public. More than just a "talking head," this individual is a skilled investigator, writer, videographer, editor, and performer all in one. They operate at the intersection of community and communication, acting as a trusted source who can distill complex events into clear, compelling, and accurate narratives under intense deadline pressure. Success in this role is defined by a relentless curiosity, a commitment to ethical journalism, and the ability to connect with an audience on both broadcast and digital platforms.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Multimedia Journalist (MMJ) in a smaller media market
News Producer or Associate Producer
Newsroom Production Assistant or Assignment Desk Editor
Journalism or Communications Internship

Advancement To:

Senior Reporter / Investigative Reporter
News Anchor (Weekday or Weekend)
Assistant News Director / News Director
National Correspondent

Lateral Moves:

Public Relations Specialist / Manager
Corporate Communications Manager
Content Creator / Digital Media Strategist
Documentary Producer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Proactively develop and pitch unique, relevant, and compelling enterprise story ideas on a daily basis that reflect the interests and concerns of the local community.
Research, gather, and verify information for news stories through interviews, observation, and examination of public records and other sources.
Establish and diligently maintain a network of credible sources within the community, including government officials, law enforcement, and community leaders.
Independently shoot, compose, and light broadcast-quality video for news packages, VOSOTs, and live shots, ensuring high visual and audio standards are met.
Write clear, concise, and conversational scripts for broadcast that are factually accurate, grammatically correct, and easy for the public to understand.
Edit video packages and VOSOTs using non-linear editing software (such as Adobe Premiere Pro) under tight, daily deadline pressure.
Deliver engaging and professional live reports from the field, often in breaking news situations, demonstrating strong ad-libbing skills and grace under pressure.
Operate bonded cellular live units (e.g., LiveU, Dejero) to establish remote live shots for newscasts.
Skillfully conduct interviews that are both informative and emotionally resonant, treating all subjects with fairness and respect.
Post stories, videos, and supplementary content to the station's website and social media platforms, tailoring content for each specific platform to maximize engagement.
Utilize social media platforms to break news, provide real-time updates from the field, and actively engage with the viewing audience.
Ensure all reporting is conducted ethically and adheres to the highest standards of journalistic integrity, including principles of fairness, accuracy, and impartiality.
Understand and apply a working knowledge of libel, slander, and privacy laws to mitigate legal risk in all reporting.
Collaborate effectively with news producers, photographers, assignment editors, and managers to shape daily news coverage and special projects.
Monitor police/fire scanners, official press releases, and social media channels to identify and respond to breaking news events swiftly.
Adapt reporting style and presentation for various formats, including long-form packages, quick-turn digital videos, and live on-air appearances.
Maintain a professional and well-groomed appearance consistent with the station's on-air standards.
Juggle multiple assignments and stories simultaneously within a fast-paced, high-stress newsroom environment, demonstrating exceptional time management.
Represent the station in a positive and professional manner at community events and public appearances.
Perform basic troubleshooting of field equipment, including cameras, microphones, and lighting, to ensure operational readiness.
Contribute to long-form special projects and in-depth investigative reports as assigned, requiring extended research and production time.

Secondary Functions

Mentor journalism interns and new hires, providing guidance on newsroom workflows, reporting techniques, and best practices.
Actively participate in station-sponsored community outreach programs and public events to strengthen community ties.
Contribute to daily editorial planning meetings by bringing unique story ideas, diverse perspectives, and insights on community trends.
Stay abreast of emerging technologies, digital journalism trends, and innovative storytelling methods to help evolve the news product.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Video Shooting/Videography: Proficiency with professional ENG/DSLR cameras, composition, and lighting techniques.
Non-Linear Video Editing: Expertise in software like Adobe Premiere Pro, Final Cut Pro, or Edius for fast-paced editing.
Newsroom Computer Systems: Familiarity with industry-standard software such as ENPS or iNews for scriptwriting and show rundowns.
Live Broadcast Technology: Experience operating bonded cellular units like LiveU or Dejero for remote reporting.
AP Style Writing: Mastery of AP style for clear, accurate broadcast and digital scriptwriting.
Social Media Management: Ability to effectively use platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram for news gathering and audience engagement.
Content Management Systems (CMS): Experience posting and formatting stories for station websites.
On-Air Performance: Polished, confident, and authentic on-camera presence.
Interviewing Techniques: Skill in conducting effective, probing, and empathetic interviews.
Field Equipment Operation: Competence with microphones, lighting kits, and other field gear.

Soft Skills

Exceptional Communication: Superior verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to simplify complex topics.
Resilience & Grace Under Pressure: Ability to remain calm, focused, and decisive in high-stress, breaking news situations.
Critical Thinking & Judgment: Strong analytical skills and the ability to make sound ethical and editorial decisions quickly.
Storytelling: An innate ability to identify the "human element" and craft a compelling narrative arc.
Adaptability: Flexibility to pivot between assignments and adapt to rapidly changing news cycles and technologies.
Unwavering Ethical Compass: A deep commitment to journalistic ethics, fairness, and accuracy.
Relentless Curiosity: A genuine desire to learn, ask "why," and dig deeper than the surface-level facts.
Time Management: Outstanding organizational skills to manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
Interpersonal Skills: The ability to build rapport and trust with sources, colleagues, and the community.
Resourcefulness: A proactive, problem-solving mindset to find stories and get the information needed.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor's degree from an accredited four-year college or university.

Preferred Education:

Master's degree in a relevant field.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Journalism
Communications
Broadcasting
Political Science

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2-5+ years of professional experience as a reporter or MMJ in a television newsroom. Experience level requirements often vary significantly based on the size of the media market.

Preferred:

A professional demo reel demonstrating exceptional on-air skills, shooting/editing abilities, and compelling storytelling is required for consideration. Experience reporting in a Top 50 market is highly desirable.