Job Title: Broadcast Journalist, Newsnight
Base: Television Centre, W12
Grade: 7D
About us:
Newsnight has a remit to demonstrate BBC News values in a way, which is appropriate for an evening news audience. The programme needs to be thought provoking, intelligent, authoritative, relevant and distinctive. Like all BBC News programmes, Newsnight has an impact on the BBC's policy and its relationship with politicians, the Government and public bodies. General contact and sensitive negotiations with influential people as well as ordinary members of the listening public occur often.
Job Purpose:
Working to Senior Broadcast Journalists and Editors:
- To prepare items and packages for BBC News programmes.
- To work as appropriate in a multi-skilled manner.
- To broadcast as necessary.
- To attend the pre-programme conferences and planning meetings as required, and offer programme ideas and stories.
- To research stories, checking factual details; undertaking background research as required and obtaining further information from all sources.
- To write the story to the required specification maintaining professional journalistic standards of accuracy, impartiality and fair dealing while adhering to the BBC's Producer and Factual programme guidelines. To use direct input via ENS computer system and must conform to BBC News practices for handling and checking script and preparing material for transmission.
- To work on a developing story, following through the coverage, amending and updating the material as required. To work with resource staff ensuring that final scripts contain all necessary instructions, cues, and information, and that the timing conforms to the programme planning requirements.
- To produce packages making use of the appropriate TV production techniques and to undertake pre or post production and studio work according to individual skills and times available.
- To field produce and report on a wide range of news stories and issues and undertake operational duties as appropriate.
- To regularly get the best newsmaking interviews for the programme on the day and planning desks.
- To observe and carry out any requirement outlined in the BBC News safety policy and specifically to conduct risk assessments when appropriate.
- To operate at all times within the values framework.
Knowledge & Experience
- Proven journalistic experience in broadcasting or have equivalent experiences combined with demonstrable commitment to BBC News OR Experience in media research and journalism in television or radio including the ability to identify key ideas, debates and issues within a field.
- Good writing skills are essential, as is the potential to originate and develop programme stories.
- Experience of producing film packages.
- Must have a thorough understanding of the editorial aims and policies of BBC News output.
- Wide knowledge of domestic and international news.
- Must be able to exercise an appropriate degree of editorial judgement, and to take responsibility for any brief that might be assigned by a programme, newsroom or a newsgathering editor.
- Knowledge of production techniques and facilities in both Radio and/or Television and the ability to develop bi-media production skills. Knowledge of information sources.
- An awareness of BBC News's policy on Health and Safety.
- Knowledge of the law as it applies to journalism.
- Good organisational skills and the ability to prioritise work load and react positively to situations at short notice.
- Experience working as part of a team.
- An awareness of the values framework.
- The ability to shoot on a DV camera would be an advantage. As a member of TV News, the job holder will be expected to work and think collaboratively at all times - both within News and across the wider BBC.
- Breadth of experience across TV News -- continuous news, bulletins, planning etc. will be taken into account as part of the recruitment process. The desirability of a range of experience such as time spent in Newsgathering, News Interactive, Radio etc. is highly valued
- To achieve greater flexibility and to share and enhance skills, people in TV News may in the future be moved to similar roles, in discussion with Deputy Head TV News/Managing Editor TV News.
Imagination/Creative Thinking
Able to translate news and current affairs into high quality programming through a detailed understanding of the requirements of the broadcast media and possession of the necessary writing, directing and reporting skills.
Planning and Organising
Is able to think ahead in order to establish an efficient and appropriate course of action for self and others. Prioritises and plans activities taking into account all the relevant issues and factors such as deadlines, staffing and resources requirements.
Resilience
Can maintain personal effectiveness by managing emotions in the face of pressure, set backs or when dealing with provocative situations. Can demonstrate an approach to work that is characterised by commitment, motivation and energy.
Influence & Persuading
Ability to present sound and well reasoned arguments to convince others. Can draw from a range of strategies to persuade people in a way that results in agreement or behaviour change.
Managing Relationships & Team Working
Able to build and maintain effective working relationships with a range of people. Works co-operatively with others to be part of a team, as opposed to working separately or competitively.
Understanding Diversity:
Understands and appreciates the uniqueness of self and others. Demonstrates, and is committed to improving, understanding of why people react in particular ways. Understanding diversity in its widest sense. Demonstrates a commitment to improving diversity in the BBC. Takes a balanced approach to discussing and taking action on diversity issues. Articulates how individual differences can benefit the BBC.
At the BBC we respect each other and celebrate our differences so that everyone gives their best. The BBC positively encourages applications from all parts of the community and is committed to promoting equality of opportunity.
It is important to BBC News that all employees come from and reflect the different communities across the UK
We value their understanding, experience and knowledge which enables us to communicate with our audiences.