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Reporters and Correspondents

(D.O.T.  131.262-018)

Nature of the Work

Reporters and correspondents play a key role in our society.  They
gather information and prepare stories that inform us about local,
State, national, and international events; present points of view on
current issues; and report on the actions of public officials,
corporate executives, special interest groups, and others who
exercise power.  In covering a story, they investigate leads and
news tips, look at documents, observe on the scene, and interview
people.  Reporters take notes and may also take photographs or shoot
videos.  At their office, they organize the material, determine
their focus or emphasis, write their stories, and may also edit
videos.  Many enter information or stories on portable computers,
then submit it to their offices using a telephone modem.  In some
cases, newswriters write the story from information collected and
submitted by the reporter.

   Radio and television reporters often compose stories and report live
from the scene.  Later, they may tape a commentary in the studio.

   General assignment reporters write up news as assigned, such as an
accident, a political rally, the visit of a celebrity, or a company
going out of business.  Large newspapers and radio and television
stations assign reporters to gather news at specific locations or
beats, such as police stations or courts.  They also have reporters
specializing in fields such as health, politics, foreign affairs,
sports, theater, consumer affairs, social events, science, business,
and religion.  Investigative reporters cover stories that take many
days or weeks of information gathering.

   News correspondents are stationed in large U.S.  and foreign cities
to report on news occurring there.  Reporters on small publications
cover all aspects of the news, and also may take photographs, write
headlines, lay out pages, edit wire service copy, and write
editorials.  They also may solicit advertisements, sell
subscriptions, and perform general office work.

   Broadcast reporters need to be at ease on camera.

Working Conditions

The work of reporters and correspondents is usually hectic.  They
are under great pressure to meet deadlines.  Some reporters work in
comfortable, private offices; others work in large rooms filled with
the sound of keyboards and computer printers as well as the voices
of other reporters.  Those reporting from the scene for radio and
television may be distracted by curious onlookers or police or other
emergency workers.  Covering wars, political uprisings, fires,
floods, and similar events may be dangerous.

   Working hours vary.  Reporters on morning papers often work from
late afternoon until midnight.  Those on afternoon or evening papers
generally work from early morning until early or midafternoon.
Radio and television reporters generally are assigned to a day or
evening shift.  Magazine reporters generally work during the day.
Reporters may have to change their work hours to meet a deadline or
to follow late-breaking developments.  Their work may demand long
hours, irregular schedules, and some travel.

Employment

Reporters and correspondents held about 58,000 jobs in 1992.  About
7 of every 10 worked for newspapers, either large city dailies or
suburban and small town dailies or weeklies.  Almost 2 in 10 worked
in radio and television broadcasting, and others worked for
magazines and wire services.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

Most employers prefer people with a bachelor's degree in journalism,
but some hire graduates with other majors.  They look for experience
on school newspapers or broadcasting stations and internships with
news organizations.  Large city newspapers and stations may also
prefer candidates with a degree in a subject-matter specialty such
as economics, political science, or business.  Large newspapers and
broadcasters also require a minimum of 3 to 5 years experience as a
reporter.

   Bachelor's degree programs in journalism are available in over 300
colleges.  About three-fourths of the courses in a typical
curriculum are in liberal arts; the remainder are in journalism.
Journalism courses include introductory mass media, basic reporting
and copy editing, history of journalism, and press law and ethics.
Students planning a career in broadcasting take courses in radio and
television newscasting and production.  Those planning newspaper or
magazine careers usually specialize in news-editorial journalism.

   Many community and junior colleges offer journalism courses or
programs; credits may be transferable to 4-year journalism programs.

   A master's degree in journalism was offered by over 100 schools in
1992; about 20 schools offered a Ph.D.  degree.  Some graduate
programs are intended primarily as preparation for news careers,
while others prepare journalism teachers, researchers and theorists,
and advertising and public relations workers.

   High school courses in English, journalism, and social studies,
provide a good foundation.  Useful college liberal arts courses
include English with an emphasis on writing, sociology, political
science, economics, history, and psychology.  Courses in computer
science, business, and speech are useful as well.  Fluency in a
foreign language is necessary in some jobs.

   Reporters need good word processing skills, and computer graphics
and desktop publishing skills are useful.  A knowledge of news
photography is valuable for entry level positions which are for
combination reporter/camera operator or reporter/photographer.

   Experience in a part-time or summer job or an internship with a news
organization is important.  The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund and
newspapers, magazines, and broadcast news organizations offer summer
reporting and editing internships.  Work on high school and college
newspapers and broadcasting stations, community papers, and Armed
Forces publications also helps.  In addition, more than 3,000
journalism scholarships, fellowships, and assistantships were
awarded to college journalism students by universities, newspapers,
foundations, and professional organizations in 1990.

   Experience as a stringer a part-time reporter who is paid only for
stories printed is also helpful.

   Reporters should be dedicated to providing accurate and impartial
news.  Accuracy is important both to serve the public and because
untrue or libelous statements can lead to costly lawsuits.  A nose
for news, persistence, initiative, poise, resourcefulness, a good
memory, and the physical stamina and emotional stability to deal
with pressing deadlines, irregular hours, and sometimes dangerous
assignments are important.  Broadcast reporters need to be at ease
on camera.  All reporters must be at ease in unfamiliar places with
all kinds of people.

   Most reporters start with small publications or broadcast stations
as general assignment reporters or copy editors.  Large publications
and stations hire very few recent graduates; they generally require
their new reporters to have several years of experience.

   Beginning reporters do routine assignments; they cover court
proceedings and civic and club meetings, summarize speeches, and
write obituaries.  With experience, they report more difficult
assignments, cover an assigned beat, or specialize in a particular
field.

   Reporters may advance by moving to larger papers or stations.  Some
experienced reporters become columnists, correspondents, writers,
announcers, or public relations specialists.  Others become editors
in print journalism or program managers in broadcast journalism, who
supervise reporters.  Some eventually become broadcasting or
publications industry managers.

Job Outlook

Employment of reporters and correspondents is expected to grow about
as fast as the average for all occupations through the year 2005
spurred mainly by an anticipated increase in the number of small
town and suburban daily and weekly newspapers.  Little or no
increase is expected in the number of big city dailies.  Some growth
is expected in radio and television stations.

   Most job openings will arise from the need to replace reporters and
correspondents who leave the occupation.  Turnover is relatively
high in this occupation some find the work too stressful and hectic,
or don't like the lifestyle and transfer to other occupations where
their skills are valuable, especially public relations and
advertising work.  Others leave because they are unable to move up
to better paid jobs in bigger cities.

   Competition for reporting jobs on large metropolitan newspapers and
broadcast stations and on national magazines will continue to be
keen.  Small town and suburban newspapers will continue to offer
better opportunities for beginners.  Many openings arise on small
publications as reporters become editors or reporters on larger
publications or leave the field.  Talented writers who can handle
highly specialized scientific or technical subjects have an
advantage.

   Journalism graduates have the background for work in such closely
related fields as advertising and public relations and many take
jobs in these fields.  Other graduates accept sales, managerial, and
other nonmedia positions, in many cases because it is difficult to
find media jobs.

   The newspaper and broadcasting industries are sensitive to economic
ups and downs.  During recessions, few new reporters are hired and
some reporters lose their jobs.

Earnings

The Newspaper Guild negotiates with individual newspapers on minimum
salaries for both starting reporters and those still on the job
after 3 to 6 years.  The median minimum salary for reporters was
about $406 a week as of August 1, 1992.  Ten percent of the
contracts called for minimums of $300 or less; 10 percent, $567 or
more.  The median minimum weekly salary for reporters after 3 to 6
years on the job was about $654 a week.  Ten percent of the
contracts called for top minimums of $479 or less; 10 percent, $856
or more.

   Annual median salaries of radio reporters ranged from $12,000 in the
smallest stations to $33,388 in the largest stations in 1992,
according to a survey conducted by the National Association of
Broadcasters.  For all stations, the median salary was $16,000.
Salaries of television reporters ranged from $16,052 in the smallest
stations to $69,500 in the largest ones.  For all stations, the
median salary was $21,825.

Related Occupations

Reporters and correspondents must write clearly and effectively to
succeed in their profession.  Others for whom writing ability is
essential include technical writers, advertising copy writers,
public relations workers, educational writers, fiction writers,
biographers, screen writers, and editors.

Sources of Additional Information

   Career information, including a pamphlet entitled

   Facts about Newspapers, is available from:

   Newspaper Association of America, The Newspaper Center, Box 17407,
Dulles International Airport, Washington, DC 20041.

   Career information, including a pamphlet entitled

   Newspaper: What's In It For Me?, is available from:

   Newspaper Association of America Foundation, 11600 Sunrise Valley
Dr., Reston, VA 22091.

   Information on careers in journalism, colleges and universities that
offer degree programs in journalism or communications, and
journalism scholarships and internships may be obtained from:

   The Dow Jones Newspaper Fund, Inc., P.O.  Box 300, Princeton, NJ
08543-0300.

   For a list of junior and community colleges offering programs in
journalism, contact:

   Community College Journalism Association, San Antonio College, 1300
San Pedro Ave., San Antonio, TX 78212-4299.

   Information on union wage rates for newspaper and magazine reporters
is available from:

   The Newspaper Guild, Research and Information Department, 8611
Second Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20910.

   For a list of schools with accredited programs in their journalism
departments, send a stamped, self-addressed envelope to:

   Accrediting Council on Education in Journalism and Mass
Communications, University of Kansas School of Journalism,
Stauffer-Flint Hall, Lawrence, KS 66045.

   For general information about careers in journalism, contact:

   Association For Education in Journalism and Mass Communication,
University of South Carolina, 1621 College St., Columbia, SC
29208-0251.

   A pamphlet titled A Career in Newspapers, can be obtained from:

   National Newspaper Association, 1627 K St.  NW., Suite 400,
Washington, DC 20006.

   Names and locations of newspapers and a list of schools and
departments of journalism are published in the Editor and Publisher
International Year Book, available in most public libraries and
newspaper offices.