Purpose of the job:

• To cover news events assigned by the News Editor and to write accurate and well-written stories for daily publication.

Main Responsibilities:

• Production of accurate and well-written news copy
• Interviewing people in a range of circumstances
• Seeking out and investigating stories via your contacts
• Covering important events/issues timeously
• Use sources, documents, computer-assisted reporting, and other journalistic tools to develop, report and write exclusive/unique stories
• Work with the News Editor in the development of story and project ideas
• editor
• Do fact checking of all articles you write
• Adhere to Code of Ethics and Editorial Standards and Practices
• Establishing a network of contacts
• Monitor electronic news outlets to pick up on news leads and story ideas
• Working across the different news platforms of The Citizen
• Taking stories forward at any time of the day, on the most appropriate news platform of The Citizen
• Update social media accounts for the purpose of promoting The Citizen’s digital strategy.
• Study and adhere to The Citizen and citizen.co.za’s Voice and Style Guide.
• Identify and develop newsworthy online stories in conjunction with the news editor
• Monitor and utilise analytics to maximise all stories and articles published on citizen.co.za.
• Adhere to Google algorithm requirements and write with SEO and Google search in mind. Although this is a print position and the Reporter will write for the newspaper, The Citizen has a digital-first mindset and all Reporters must be familiar with digital concepts such as analytics and SEO.

Knowledge/Experience

• Talent for writing coupled with a keen news sense and interest in breaking news and current affairs
• Ability to adapt to changing news and media scene, with a keen interest in news media
• Matric and Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Journalism
• At least 4 years’ mainstream journalism experience in a national newsroom

Other requirements:

• Valid driver’s licence essential
• Own vehicle essential
• Solid references
• No criminal record
• Please send suitable applications with a full CV to [email protected]
• Reference in subject line: News Reporter

Closing date for applications:  30 April 2024