NEWSPAPER REPORTERS Number 113 Interest Area 11 1998
THE JOB
Under the direction of an editor, NEWSPAPER REPORTERS gather and analyze facts about current events through interviews, investigations, or observations and write stories describing the events, background, meaning, and effects. They are assigned breaking news developments such as disasters, crime, and human interest. They take notes or use a tape recorder while covering a story. They check reference materials such as books, news files, and public records including criminal and civil court files for additional relevant facts. Basic tasks of reporters involve viewing events objectively, reporting them accurately, and explaining their significance.
Reporters may be on a general assignment, special assignment, or have a regular "beat." Beat Reporters are responsible for news originating from local sources such as municipal offices, hospitals, and police departments. Feature Reporters are assigned to cover news in special fields such as medicine, foreign affairs, consumer affairs, fashion, art, education, labor, or social events. Reporters who are expert in certain fields may specialize in one type of story including stories involving sports, politics, or financial affairs. Reporters may also form their own concept for a feature story and newspaper pictures. They may carry their own camera and obtain photographic coverage or they may request a photographer.
Another aspect of news reporting involves correspondents and "stringers" who report from distant locations such as state or national capitols and international locales. Stringers are freelance reporters, often students or nonprofessionals, who write news stories about their campus or community.
Reporters usually return to the office to write copy on a computer. As Reporters type their copy, it can appear simultaneously on their screen and the editor's terminal screen, or the story can be sent to the editor after it has been polished. From the editor, it is transmitted to the composing room computer which produces the story. Sometimes, to meet deadlines, reporters deliver their news story over the telephone or use portable computers to enter the story which is then sent by modem directly to the newspaper's computer system.
WORKING CONDITIONS
Although electronic technology has brought change to the newspaper office, it has not diminished the need for reporters. Automation has eliminated the legendary clamor of the large news room in favor of a more high-tech information producing operation.
Reporters often work unscheduled overtime, and must have a high energy level to keep up with the fast pace of this occupation. They must also be prepared to work under stressful situations such as earthquakes, fires, floods, shoot-outs, and other dangerous conditions.
Reporters work both indoors and outdoors, dealing with all kinds of people. They may work for long periods on unproductive leads. Editors have the option of revising, shortening, or deleting their stories from the newspaper.
When a newspaper is under union contract, reporters may be required to become members of the local.
EMPLOYMENT OUTLOOK
Entry into this profession is difficult due to a decline in employee turnover, an oversupply of college graduates, and because of newspaper consolidation. The situation is brighter at suburban dailies and weeklies, which are doing better than their urban counterparts. Employers at big city dailies have become selective in their hiring choices, aware of the intense competition for the available entry-level reporter jobs. Because of this situation, many journalism graduates enter related fields such as advertising and public relations.
The following information is from the California Projections of Employment published by the Labor Market Information Division. The figures represent the broad occupational group Reporters and Correspondents which includes Newspaper Reporters.
Estimated number of workers in 1993 4,640 Estimated number of workers in 2005 4,880 Projected Growth 1993-2005 5% Estimated openings due to separations by 2005 1 ,250
(These figures do not include self-employment or openings due to turnover.)
Employment in the newspaper industry is expected to grow at a rate well below the average for all occupations in California. Although the number of small town and suburban daily and weekly newspapers is expected to increase, the number of daily newspapers continues to decline, leading to fewer opportunities for new reporters. Electronic publishing, such as on the Internet, is not expected to have an adverse affect on employment opportunities, since good reporters will still be needed to write stories.
WAGES, HOURS, AND FRINGE BENEFITS
Newspaper Reporter salaries vary depending on whether the publication is weekly or daily, its circulation, experience level of the reporter, the type of publication, and whether the position is union.
A 1996 salary survey conducted by the California Newspaper Publishers Association indicates average weekly earnings for News Reporters as follows:
Daily Publications* Entry level: $315 - 571/week Experienced: $383 - 800/week
Weekly Publications* Entry level: $332 - 379/week Experienced: $350 - 436/week
* The above wages include union scale
Critics, columnists, feature writers, and other specialists usually receive salaries above union scale. Reporters receive time off or are compensated for overtime and for special assignments that require them to work under hazardous or stressful conditions. Stringers are paid according to the size and type of news stories printed.
Newspaper Reporters work 37-1/2 to 50 hours, five days a week, often including weekends. Schedules depend on the newspaper's deadlines. Reporters on morning papers generally work from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., while some work from late afternoon until midnight. Those on evening papers generally start early in the morning and finish in the early afternoon. Exceptions are reporters on "special beats." Night shift pay differential is approximately $1.80 to $5/hr. extra per shift.
ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS AND TRAINING
Employers look for those who write clearly, accurately, and with correct spelling and grammar. Typing ability is essential and using computer terminals for word processing is almost always necessary. Bilingual skills are necessary for some assignments. At least some prior work experience on an actual publication is expected. Internships, work on school newspaper or as campus stringers are acceptable.
A four-year degree is the minimum educational requirement. This is especially true in large metropolitan papers with reporter staffs which can easily be categorized according to academic specialties. Increasingly, large metropolitan papers prefer applicants with a master's degree. Smaller papers, on the other hand, prefer generalists rather than specialists and look for people with broad experience in different fields. Aside from academic and career related achievements, most papers also place a great amount of emphasis on personal characteristics such as curiosity, resourcefulness, competitiveness, and the ability to "dig" for information.
Co-majoring in such subjects as political science, economics, business or finance can help in a job search.
ADVANCEMENT
Reporters receive salary increases and more interesting or challenging assignments as they advance. After many years of experience, reporters with suitable talents may become columnists, special correspondents, or critics; those with executive ability can become editors or administrators.
FINDING THE JOB
A resume and a typed letter requesting an interview should be sent to editors, by name, several months prior to graduation. Names and addresses of news executives may be obtained from directories such as Editor and Publisher Yearbook, Ayer's Directory, and the California Newspaper Publisher's Association Newspaper Directory. Applicants should be prepared to furnish clean copies of their work, demonstrating the full range of their reporting history. Prospective reporters must have flexibility and determination to survive in the highly competitive journalism job market. Successful job seekers will be those who are willing to accept a position in any location, if it offers media experience and entry into a news organization.
ADDITIONAL SOURCES OF INFORMATION
California Newspaper Publishers Association 1225 8th St., Suite 260 Sacramento, CA 95814-4809 (916) 449-6000 www.cnpa.com
Northern California Newspaper Guild 433 Natoma St., 3rd Floor San Francisco, CA 94103 (415) 421-6533
RELATED OCCUPATIONAL GUIDES
Technical Writers No. 138
OCCUPATIONAL CODE REFERENCES
DOT (Dictionary of Occupational Titles, 4th Ed., 1991) Reporters 131.262-018
OES (Occupational Employment Statistics) System Reporters and Correspondents 340110
Source: State of California, Employment Development Department,
Labor Market Information Division, Information Services Group,
(916) 262-2162.
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