Duties And Responsibilities
- Break developing and enterprise stories, accurately and quickly;
- Work to tight deadlines to produce accurate hard news stories, including breaking news;
- Investigate and research original content and ideas for news stories;
- Generate and maintain a strong network of contacts across key sections of society, including, but not limited to, police, emergency services, government and state institutions, social justice organisation, non-governmental organisations and community bodies;
- Write quality news and feature articles, adhering to strict deadlines and News24s style;
- Adhere to the quality, style and content standards as laid out and required by News24;
- Create target-market-specific articles;
- Generate ideas for news stories on a daily basis;
- Comply with the requirements of the South African Press Code;
- Generate and liaise with network of contacts to assist with research or completion of articles/features;
- Will be required to take photographs and shoot video as required;
- Live reporting on stories as they unfold, feeding into News24s live updates;
- Secure newsmakers for in-depth interviews on topical issues.
- Proficient in relevant computer software packages and application;
- Demonstrable passion for news;
- Strong knowledge of current affairs;
- Established network of contacts (over and above official spokespersons);
- Strong command of English;
- Creativity;
- Able to work under extreme pressure and to strict deadlines;
- Good time management, the ability to multitask effectively and complete tasks timeously;
- Sound news judgment;
- Knowledge of the online news environment and digital publishing tools, including mobile video and photos;
- Knowledge of social media;
- Detail orientation;
- Good people skills;
- Quality orientation and the ability to deliver clean copy;
- Good decision-making abilities;
- Persistence and results orientated;
- Strong questioning and listening skills;
- The ability to work independently;
- Resilient.
- Diploma or degree in journalism, languages, politics or media studies;
- Experience writing for a mainstream newspaper or magazine or reporting for an online or wire news operation or a broadcast news service;
- At least 4 years experience;
- Good general knowledge;
- Insightful knowledge of South Africas socio-political landscape;
- Knowledge of topical issues and current affairs;
- Demonstrable network of contacts;
- Valid drivers licence;
