Learn about the key responsibilities of a reporter, from gathering information and writing stories to upholding ethical standards and protecting sources.
A reporter is an important personality in the world of mass media. The responsibility of providing the newspaper with news rests upon his shoulders. A good reporter is one who can read between the lines, gather facts and dispatch these to the office of the newspaper.In the earlier days of mass media there were few reporters Each reporter was incharge of many beats As the population rose and problems grew, the number of reporters is increased Then there are as many reporters as the number of beats. Today a large number of reporters work in newspapers, radio and television
There is a chief reporter in every newspaper who is incharge of the reporting section and divides responsibilities among the reporters.
Responsibilities of A Reporter In News And Journalism
- Educated
A reporter must be a highly qualified person Ue should preferably by an MA in Mass Communication, although it is not always necessary Ue should also have sound know ledge of social science.
- Cultured/Well-Mannered
A reporter should be well-mannered and know how to conduct himself in public life A cultured and civilized person is always successful in life. As a reporter is the representative of his newspaper, he should conduct himself like a thorough gentleman This characteristics of his personality can prove of great advantage to him in his professional work of gathering news.
- Patent and Tolerant
A reporter has to visit various places and meet many persons in his line of duty. Every person is a master of his own moods and his behaviour or disposition may not be always predictable. Thus the reporter at time may have to face a lot of loose and irritable talk
Suppose he wants to interview someone Mav be the interviews is not available, at a particular time and he may have to cool his heels for long periods of time and even visit his office or residence again and again Thereto^ he must prossess essential qualities of patience and tolerance to face these problems and do his job successfully. •
- Personal Relations
After taking up reporting as a profession a reporter must concentrate on establishing wide personal relations. A reporter can get an exclusive piece of news only when he has the tact of using his sources effectively. He should always remain in touch with his sources.
- Alive to Current Affairs
A reporter should be conscious of current affairs. He must know what is happening around him; of what changes are taking place on national and international level He must be aware of then- background and foreground
- Familiar with Wide Range of Subjects
Along with academic degree a reporter must possess some knowledge of Fine Arts, Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, Literature and other Social Science. He should know the ABC of almost everything. Different terms of various languages should be at his fingertips In short.
6.Well Dressed and a Good Conversationalist
A reporter should look clean and tidy. He should be well- dressed and also prove himself to be a good and polite conversationalist. These personal qualities may help him alt in getting news.
A reporter with keen observation is an asset tor his newspaper. We can illustrate this in a better way with an example
Suppose many reporters of different newspapers are present at a venue. All of them would write news according to the quality of their observations. A layman is only concerned with the facts and statistics of an incident but a-reporter’s duty to look for causes and effects of the said incident. Only them he is likely to create exclusive news.
- Ability to Settse News
A good reporter is always very active and alive to his surrounding. He should not take leave of his senses His curiosity should be such as to filter out news even for ordinary happening
- Impartial
A ‘news’ is the objective presentation of a reporter of some incident. While writing news a reporter should not project his own views. The incidents should be reported as they occurred with no comments passed by the reporter.
A reporter should be a moderate person He should be patient and impartial and always stick to the truth Especially while reporting religious speeches a moderate policy should be followed Infact in all fields of life, moderation is the best policy
Acquiring news is in itself an adventure. A reporter should always be ready for investigative reporting. He should not hesitate in showing his adventurous nature in getting at the true facts behind a happening.
- Master of the Best
It is the age of specialization. A reporter working in a newspaper has got one or two departments at this disposal It is his duty to provide the newspaper with the news of the department allocated to him. But it is possible only when he possesses a sound knowledge of his beat A political reporter, for instance should know everything regarding political parties, their manifestoes, national leaders and changes in government policies.
Reporters covering legislature’s proceedings should be aware of terms like Adjournment, Motion, Privilege Motion, Question Hour etc.
Similarly, sports reporter should be conscious of the rules’ and regulations of sports. The commerce reporter should be well informed of the trade policy and economic change occurring on national and international front
- Command over Language
A Pakistani Journalist must have command over at least two languages i.e. Urdu and English. Sometimes an article in English has to be translated into Urdu He can do so only when he Ras command over both the languages.
- A Good Sub-Editor
A good reporter is he who is also a good sub-editor Writing a news is as importants as is its availability. And writing a good news is only possible when the reporter knows the art of editing it himself. He should exclude unnecessary things and write news in such a way that the sub-editor could not damage the impact of his hare earned news.
- Knows the Press Laws
A good reporter never falls a victum to press laws. He should have a sound knowledge of the country’s press laws, press code of ethics and other laws as the contempt of court, copyright defamation etc.A person having all these characteristics can become a