• News Anchor Job Description

    A news anchor is person whose job is to present news stories over television or radio to an audience. Their job involves introducing and hosting news programs, reading news reports, and conducting on-air interviews. One of the most challenging aspects of their job is having to make guests who are tensed up on a live show feel at ease, be comfortable, and open up to share their stories or ideas.

    A news anchor should be well organized, good at timing, perceptive, enthusiastic, calm, confident, courageous, approachable and believable, and have good pronunciation and a pleasant and well-controlled voice. They should be quick, swift and alert, and have mental agility and strong analytical skills to respond well to breaking news.

    Pursue a career in journalism if you are a dynamic writer and storyteller who have passion for news. You should be someone who enjoys interacting with the public and being on the spotlight.
  • What does a News Anchor do?

    News anchors may do some or all of the following:

    • collaborate with the news crew
    • research, write and edit scripts
    • evaluate news leads and tips to develop story ideas
    • memorize scripts before going on air
    • introduce and host news programs
    • read news reports from a teleprompter
    • conduct panel discussions and on air interviews
    • work under the supervision of the news producer
    • work under tight deadlines
    • use social media to engage their audience
    • make public appearances and host special events
    • offer ideas to improve the news industry
  • Where does a News Anchor work?
  • Working Conditions

    News anchors work in offices and broadcast studios, but may travel to do on-site or live reports. A large portion of their day is devoted to reading news articles, as they have to understand the articles they are about to present and figure out how to present them. They may be required to work irregular hours including early mornings, evenings and weekends. They may work in conditions that are stressful due to deadlines.

  • What is Required to Become a News Anchor?

    The minimum requirement for most high paying jobs in the field is a degree in / language or a related discipline. Many news anchors start out as news reporters before moving into the position.

    Many media houses only employ news anchors with experience, so it’s important that prospective news anchors associate themselves with their school media house or do an internship with a news organization.

  • Modules

    Just to give you an idea, some of the classes that you’ll be taking in college if you decide to study journalism may include:

    • Journalism
    • Photojournalism
    • Multimedia communications
    • Electronic media
    • Broadcasting
    • Media Presentation
    • Media Law and Ethics
  • Specializations
  • Knowledge, Skills and Attributes

    News anchors need to have:

    • patience
    • charisma
    • courteousness
    • tactfulness
    • confidence
    • perceptiveness
    • self discipline
    • dependability and credibility
    • adaptability and versatility
    • determination and persistence
    • physical and mental stamina
    • good memory
    • good attention to detail
    • good personal hygiene and appearance
    • good judgment and decision making skills
    • good listening and communication skills
    • analytical skills
    • networking and interviewing skills
    • presentation and public-speaking skills
    • multitasking skills
    • the ability to memorize information quickly
    • the ability to visualize a story
    • the ability to make people answer tough questions
    • the ability to relate to a wide variety of people
    • the ability to maintain good concentration for long periods of time
    • the ability to work well under pressure and manage stress
    • the ability to accept and respond well to criticism
    • the ability to enjoy reading fictions, plays and poetry
    • the ability to work well as part of a team
    • the ability to follow directions and stick to guidelines
    • the ability to recognize information that will interest their audience
    • the ability to suppress their own views and biases when reporting a story
    • the ability to quote people accurately
    • knowledge of journalism and broadcast news operations
    • knowledge of Media ethics and law
    • knowledge of a wide range of local and global issues

References

Should I be a News Anchor?

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Alternative Careers
  • Columnist
  • Announcer
  • News Reporter
  • Disc Jockey
  • Photographer
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