‘‘New Media’’ Skills Competency Expected of TV Reporters and Producers: A Survey

Abstract

The authors conducted a nationwide Web-based survey of network affiliate television stations (ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox) that present local news. This was an exploratory study to examine the current state of online news production at local television stations— what is being produced and who is producing it—and what emphasis news directors place on ‘‘new media’’ skills when making hiring decisions. The results indicate that virtually everyone in the newsroom is expected to generate web product, with reporters and newscast producers bearing the heaviest burden. The study also shows that news directors overwhelmingly prefer to hire people with existing web skills. Furthermore, this research makes it clear that the web has found its place as a primary news presentation tool in local television newsrooms. In some cases, maintaining the station’s website is a priority and staff resources are dedicated to that purpose. But many other local newsrooms find they must perform a balancing act. They have to constantly feed the never-ending web news cycle, and yet continue to produce newscasts in a highly charged and competitive atmosphere. These newsrooms find that while they would like to expand and improve their web news product, sometimes a minimum presence will have to suffice. Armed with a picture of how today’s TV newsrooms are attempting to meet the demand for Web content, broadcast journalism educators can more efficiently establish a proper balance between traditional classroom instruction and training in ‘‘new media.’’