Different Kinds of Reporters
News is an unpublished account of human action, which attempts to inform, interest, or entertain the public. The first demand of news is that an article should not have already been published somewhere else before. It should only come to the public for the first time within the last twenty-four hours. As such, there are strict time constraints upon news releases and any news media outlet wishing to publish them.
News, like any other popular medium, has a distinct and powerful influence on society. Through various channels of mass communication, the masses can get their version of news almost instantaneously. This makes it imperative that news agencies and networks to manage the proper distribution of information to all corners of the country or even the world. News is now part of the daily lives of people through television, radio, and newspapers. While all three mediums have different ways of informing and publishing news, they have also developed certain similarities over the years.
Most newspapers today employ reporters who are experts in their particular field of news media. These reporters, under the strict supervision of the management, submit stories and reports to the editors with the aim of getting published. In earlier decades, the role of journalists was far from traditional and there was less reliance on newspapers for breaking stories. Television and radio reporters worked for network stations or for newsrooms owned by large newspapers.
The profession of journalism has changed significantly over the years. Today, newspapers and other media organizations depend largely on online resources and are blogging to get their stories out to the public. In addition, online sources for breaking news include blogs, newswires, and wikis. Some websites, such as the Associated Press, now use an online “breaking news” button to update the general public about breaking news. Television reporters still use a camera and a microphone to get live footage of natural or major events or political incidents around the world but have fewer opportunities for obtaining interviews with foreign leaders, celebrities, and newsworthy personalities.
In terms of the roles that reporters and multimedia professionals in general play in news organizations, the most prominent would be the chief reporter, or bureau chief, responsible for getting the scoop from various sources, both within the country and abroad, before they get distributed to other media outlets. The chief reporter usually has extensive training in his or her chosen profession and often works in close collaboration with a photo editor, a writer, and a producer. While he or she is the main representative of the news organization, it is important to note that just like any other employee, a reporter needs time off to pursue personal interests. For example, when a bureau chief is out of town, the press secretary or communications director can continue to manage the office while the reporting is being done.
Having personal relationships with many reporters gives them access to information that might otherwise not be revealed. As the New York Times has noted, many investigative journalists “have a circle of friends and family that seem to know everything about them.” This type of networking allows them to acquire important information before it is made public. Many television news organizations also depend on reporters with strong relationships in the industry. These relationships allow the correspondents to gain access to higher-level sources, such as politicians, members of the royal household, and members of the media, meaning that the work that is completed will carry significant weight.