How to Be News Jockey - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 16, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

Professional Organizations

FAQ

Links

The increasing popularity of news jockeys has had a positive effect on the media industry. With more people tuning in to watch their favorite news jockeys, such as Anderson Cooper, Jake Tapper, and Rachel Maddow, the industry has seen a significant rise in viewership and profits. This increased viewership has also allowed news outlets to expand their coverage and provide more comprehensive news coverage.

Furthermore, the presence of news jockeys has created a platform for more diverse voices to be heard, which has enabled people to gain access to different opinions and perspectives. As a result, the public has become more informed and educated on current events and social issues.

Steps How to Become

Research the industry. Research the industry to get a good understanding of what a News Jockey does. Find out what qualifications and skills you need to become a News Jockey and learn about the various roles available.
Get an education. Most employers prefer News Jockey candidates who have at least a Bachelors degree in journalism, broadcasting, or a related field. Consider enrolling in an accredited college or university to gain the necessary qualifications.
Gain experience. Once youve completed your education, start building your experience by taking on internships or volunteer positions at news outlets or broadcasting organizations. This will give you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience in the field and develop your skills as a News Jockey.
Build your portfolio. As you gain experience, start putting together a portfolio of your work. This should include clips from any broadcasts youve done as well as recordings of any interviews youve conducted.
Apply for jobs. Once youve built up your experience and portfolio, start applying for jobs as a News Jockey. Make sure your resume and cover letter stand out from the crowd by highlighting your experience and qualifications.
Network. Networking is an important part of the job search process and can be invaluable when it comes to finding a job as a News Jockey. Join industry associations and attend events to meet other professionals in the field.

Staying up to date and qualified as a news jockey requires taking the initiative to stay informed about current events and industry trends. By reading about the latest developments in the news industry and subscribing to relevant newsletters, one can stay on top of industry news and regulations. attending training sessions, conferences, and webinars is a great way to increase knowledge and stay on top of best practices.

Furthermore, networking with other experienced professionals in the field can help to develop expertise and gain valuable skills. Finally, taking courses or obtaining certifications can help to demonstrate a commitment to the profession and further enhance one's qualifications as a news jockey. Taking these steps can help to ensure that one is well-informed and qualified as a news jockey.

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Job Description

Research News Stories: Research and develop news stories, conduct interviews with sources, and write and assemble stories for broadcast.
Broadcast News: Present news stories on-air, often with the help of a teleprompter, and provide commentary and analysis.
Promote News Stories: Develop promotional campaigns to increase viewership, work with producers and editors to ensure story accuracy and quality, and attend promotional events.
Develop Story Ideas: Work with producers and editors to develop interesting story ideas, create and maintain relationships with sources, and monitor new developments in the news industry.
Monitor Social Media: Monitor social media sites for potential news stories and trends, write blog posts, and post updates to news websites.
Operate Broadcast Equipment: Operate sound, lighting, and camera equipment in the studio or field to capture news footage, and ensure that all technical aspects of the broadcast are running smoothly.
Stay Up-To-Date: Stay current on local, national, and international news events by reading newspapers, magazines, or news websites, or by watching television or listening to the radio.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Ability to work in a fast-paced, high-pressure environment
Excellent communication and interviewing skills
Strong organizational and time-management skills
Knowledge of broadcasting laws and regulations
Excellent knowledge of current affairs and news stories
Ability to think quickly and respond effectively
Ability to research and analyze data
Ability to work with digital audio equipment
Ability to maintain high standards of accuracy and professionalism
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision

Being a successful news jockey requires a variety of skills, but one of the most important is the ability to effectively communicate complex information to viewers in a clear and concise manner. This requires an understanding of how to take complex stories and break them down into easily understandable pieces of information. it requires the ability to quickly analyze a situation and determine the most important aspects of the story.

Furthermore, news jockeys must be able to stay up-to-date on current events and be able to accurately forecast future trends. Finally, they must be able to connect with their audience by being able to make the news engaging and entertaining. Having these skills is essential to being a successful news jockey as it allows them to deliver information in an effective manner, thus increasing their viewership and overall reach.

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Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have as a News Jockey?
How do you stay up to date on current news topics?
Describe a time when you had to quickly react and adapt to a breaking news story.
What strategies do you employ when researching new stories?
Describe your experience with interviewing sources and guests.
What techniques do you use to ensure accuracy in reporting?
How do you handle difficult questions or topics when hosting a show?
How do you create engaging content for viewers?
What challenges have you faced while working as a News Jockey?
In what ways do you collaborate with other members of the news team?

Common Tools in Industry

CMS (Content Management System). A platform used to create, publish, and manage digital content like websites, blogs, and more. (e. g. Wordpress)
Audio Editing Software. Used to record, edit, and mix audio for broadcast or other mediums. (e. g. Adobe Audition)
Video Editing Software. Used to edit video files for broadcast or other mediums. (e. g. Adobe Premiere Pro)
Graphics Software. Used to create and edit graphics for broadcast or other mediums. (e. g. Adobe Photoshop)
Social Media Management Platforms. Used to manage and post content to social media accounts. (e. g. Hootsuite)
News Aggregator Platforms. Used to organize and aggregate news stories from various sources. (e. g. Feedly)
Writing Software. Used to write scripts, articles, and other content for broadcast or other mediums. (e. g. Microsoft Word)
Research Platforms. Used to conduct research on topics related to news stories or other content. (e. g. Google Scholar)
Audio Broadcasting Equipment. Used to capture, process, and broadcast audio content for radio or other mediums. (e. g. Broadcast Mixer)
Video Broadcasting Equipment. Used to capture, process, and broadcast video content for television or other mediums. (e. g. Digital Video Camera)

Professional Organizations to Know

National Broadcasting Society (NBS)
Radio and Television News Directors Foundation (RTNDF)
American Women in Radio and Television (AWRT)
Broadcast Education Association (BEA)
College Broadcasters, Inc. (CBI)
National Association of Broadcasters (NAB)
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
International Radio & Television Society (IRTS)
National Press Photographers Association (NPPA)

Common Important Terms

Anchor. A broadcast journalist who presents news programs on television or radio.
News Desk. The area where the newsroom personnel coordinate the production and presentation of news content.
Script. A written document outlining a news story, including the background, introduction, and main points.
Segment. A section of a news program that focuses on a specific topic.
Teleprompter. An electronic device used by a news anchor to read a script while appearing to look directly at the camera.
Voice-over. A technique used by a news anchor to provide additional information about a story without appearing on camera.
Editorial. An opinion column in a newspaper or magazine written by an editor or guest writer about current issues.
Lead. A brief summary of a news story that appears at the beginning of the story and is designed to draw the reader in.
Headline. A short title or phrase at the top of a news story that summarizes its content.
Byline. The name of the reporter or author of a news story, typically printed at the beginning or end of the article.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is News Jockey?

News Jockey is a personalized news curation service that helps you access the latest news from reliable sources in an easy and efficient way.

How does News Jockey work?

News Jockey works by monitoring various news sources and curating the most relevant stories to your interests. It then delivers the stories to you in a personalized news feed.