PRINT

BEAT WRITER – The reporter who covers a team on a day-to-day basis; will often travel with the team and file reports on the outcome of the events. They are expected to be objective and keep opinions out of the story. They often travel with the team, meaning things you say off the field are on the record. Quotes are usually less than two lines each (the equivalent of a 10-15 second sound byte).

COLUMNIST - Columnists offer their own personal view on events. They are expected to have opinions, often controversial, to try to stir up interest not only in their own column but the newspaper in general. They are expected to be factual but will insert their own views into the commentary on what has happened.

HEADLINE WRITER - They take the stories from the beat writers, columnist and feature reporters and put a headline on to entice readers into reading the piece. An inflammatory headline is seldom, if ever, written by the reporter.

RADIO

REPORTER - Similar to beat writers, they are expected to file reports from the scene and also provide audio tape sound bytes after (and in some cases, before) an event. They, too, are expected to stick to the facts and keep commentaries out of their reports. Most who work for all news/sports stations have immediate deadlines. Sound bytes of quotes: 15-20 seconds.

TALK SHOW HOST - The columnists of the airwaves, they are expected by management to be provocative; to stir up interest in their program and stations by often times making outlandish comments to draw listeners and callers to their shows.

PLAY-BY-PLAY - The person who calls the action of the game. The transformation of the media has produced play-by-play announcers who go beyond the actual events and offer opinions and commentaries of what is happening.

ANALYST - The columnist of the airwaves, they are expected to provide expert” analysis of action and to provide commentary. Many former athletes are hired for this role.

PRODUCER - Their main responsibilities are two-fold: to line up guests for a program and to "screen" or determine which callers get through to be on the air; they ask ahead of time what the caller wants to talk about and informs them of when they will be on the air.

TELEVISION

ON-AIR REPORTER - Similar to radio and print, the reporter covers the stories and files reports, usually less than two minutes, on the event. More relaxed deadlines as most newscasts are in early or late evening. Quotes or sound bytes: less than 15 seconds.

PRODUCER - They usually travel with the reporters, setting up the “shot”, working with the cameraman and serving as the link between the station and the site. In some cases, the producer will serve as an “off-the-air” reporter, asking questions and providing information similar to the on-air reporter but not being seen on the air.

ANCHOR - The person who reads the news that is gathered from reporters, wire services and newspapers. In many instances the anchor is asked to serve as a reporter, asking questions of guests. Many do not write their own stories; news writers at the station can take copy from reporters or wire services for anchors to read.