Duties of reporter:

News reporters are responsible for gathering and writing about the news as it happens. The
advent of 24-hour news broadcasts and regularly updated digital editions of newspapers puts
pressure on reporters covering national or international events to be first with the story or to find
a new angle. Local reporters don’t face the same time pressures, particularly when they are
working for weekly publications. However, they have to find stories that keep readers or viewers
informed or entertained.
Breaking News
Reporters cover events that make the news. A news editor makes decisions about the importance
of breaking stories and assigns reporters to cover the event. The source of the story could be a
press release, breaking news over the wire service or a tipoff from a contact. Reporters travel to
the scene, gather information and quotes from official sources such as police or fire crews or
witnesses, and put together a story. If they are covering the story for radio or television, they
record the story and interview sources.
Events
News reporters cover regular, scheduled events in addition to breaking news. Sports
correspondents, for example, attend games to prepare reports. Reporters covering local
government issues attend official meetings and community events. Crime reporters go to police
stations and courts to keep up to date with ongoing cases or get leads to follow up.
Background
To add depth to news stories, reporters do background research. They check the accuracy of facts
and contact experts or witnesses to obtain more detailed information. They also confer with the
legal team to ensure that sensitive stories are not breaking any laws. When they write articles,
reporters add background to the original news story and prepare a piece that fits the length or
time slot allocated by the editor.
Investigation
Editors may assign individuals or teams of reporters to investigate issues of public concern, such
as allegations of corruption or inefficiency in local government. Reporters interview people who
can provide insight on the issues and build a story over time.
Presentation
Reporters working in radio or television may also be responsible for presenting all or part of their
stories. They may present the story in the studio or do a live link to a news anchor, giving an
overview of the story and introducing the interviews they recorded on site.
A reporter who can make a good report is called as a good reporter. To report, it requires
extensive knowledge by the reporter. He must have the following characteristics:

1. Qualification: A reporter must be qualified because drafting of report is a complex and

specialized task. He must know what to report, how to report, and to whom to report and how to
focus on real fact.

2. Experience and Efficiency: A person who is experienced must be efficient also. A reporter
endowed with such two qualities can perform his reporting with quality and standard.

3. Knowledge of Subject-Matter & Time: A reporter must know in details regarding the
subject matter to be addressed and he must report on that topic in due time. Otherwise, The
object of a report would go in vain. So, knowledge and timeliness is also essential qualities of a
good reporter.

4. Faithfulness and Neutrality: Report must be free from biased information. The information
provided in the report must be reliable and valid. False, invalid and biased information are
supposed to hamper the decision and would outcome in wrong decision.

5. Knowledge of Structure and Presentation: How to write down all relevant and necessary
information maintaining a proper structure should be known to a good reporter. He must know
how to present the facts and information in a simple but effective way. So, Knowledge of
structure and presentation are necessary qualities to be possessed by a reporter.

6. Skill in Collecting Information: Reporter is required to collect information from primary or

secondary source of information as the situation demands. He must have the capacity to identify
the source of information and collect data required for report.

7. Status: A reporter must have specific status. This makes proper identification of the reporter
to all. This also helps for acceptance of the report.

8. Organizational Ability: Information or data received from various primary or secondary

sources are required to be organized in a acceptable processing way to create a meaningful
picture. Haphazard presentation of data makes no impression rather wastage of time, money and
effort.

9. Analyzing Capacity: Data obtained from various sources are required to be analyzed through
various tools such as statistical or mathematical tools and functions. Proper analyzing in proper
way helps to draw findings and reach conclusion.

10. Knowledge about the Principles of Report Writing: A reporter should be well understood
regarding the principles of writing a report. Principles guide the way of writing a report and
make it meaningful and attractive to the relative audience.

12. Determination and Punctuality: A reporter should have strong determination for what he is
going. In other side, punctuality gives the chance to present the report in time. A good reporter
must have determination and punctuality.

13. Patience: Making a good and perfect report is a complicated task. It may need time and
labor. A good reporter should have such patience for completing the task properly and timely.

14. Other Qualities: Without above qualities or characteristics, A good reporter should have the
following qualities too:
 Language Skill
 Understanding Capacity
 Knowledge of Various Types of Report
 Proper Academic Knowledge
 Enough Experience on this field
 A Mind of Impartiality
 Knowledge about Computer Operation
 Faithful and Honest
A reporter, who has above discussed qualifications or characteristics, can produce a good report
or the person who has given the task upon another person to make a report, If that reporter has
the above qualification, The first person may expect to get a good and proper report.