News anchor description
A career as a news anchor or news presenter is challenging and rewarding, too. They work for television channels or radio stations. A news anchor’s primary job is to sense the news and present it suitably from the commoner’s point of view so that most people live it tuned gripping. It is the articulating and analysing power of the anchor that makes the live TV session engrossing to the viewers. They should have a better ability to judge the situation. There is no such shortage of jobs in this field for the hardworking candidate keen to be a presenter. Many News channels are identified for their news anchors.
Job profile of news anchor
- They have the ability to present the right aspects of local, national and global news before the public.
- Their presentation should be so that the general public can understand it easily.
- To know how to conduct interviews with famous personalities and celebrities.
- To know how to research and investigate a story.
- Interact with reporters while on air.
- To know how to gather data and present the same in a simple and easily understood news form.
- Affinity of extensive reading on your area of interest.
- To analyse, interpret and broadcast news received from various sources.
- They have patience, perseverance, and the ability to handle pressure and stiff work culture.
Salary of news presenter
News anchors are in high demand. As per experience, expertise and location, they draw high salaries. Those working in metropolitan cities like New York, Chicago, London, Los Angeles, Washington, etc., earn a fatty salary. There is plenty of money for the renowned news presenter. As per the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics,2018 the median annual salary of a news anchor is $ 66, 880.
Courses and eligibility
Any graduate with a nose for news and capable of unique presentation and broadcasting can be a news anchor. However, employers hire graduates with a BA or MA in Journalism/ Communications/Mass Communications. Do a degree in BA Journalism from a recognised Mass com institution. Try to get experience from local radio stations, TV channels, or newspapers. I did a summer internship and also just completed my journalism degree. Initially, no need to wait for a news presenter job; instead, one should start one’s career whatever the job, viz, reporter, editor, producer, etc., one gets on a TV channel.
News Anchor skills
If you want to go higher as a news presenter, you have to develop the following skills and competencies
- A news presenter should have the ability to make simple news into a sensational one.
- It is better to develop exceptional ability to explain a story.
- The anchor should be the best listener so that the presenter can communicate effectively with the reporter while airing news.
- Should know the nuances of high-quality writing and editing.
- Feedback should be taken seriously and positively by the listeners.
- High intensity of reading aptitude so that one can go through maximum things in a certain period of time.
- Excellent interpersonal skills.
- Sharp view in recognising, assimilating and understanding the news.
- Stamina
- Time management
Job Perspectives
The field of news presentation has stiff and cut-throat competition. Research has been conducted in the USA, wherein it has been found that job outlook could be more encouraging in this field, and stagnancy will continue for a few years. To make yourself more competitive as per the demand of the market, try to garner more and more knowledge and put in your best efforts while in college as well as in the field.
Work culture
To grab and flash the news first, they must spend hours and hours in the office. Their jobs could be more comfortable on the screen. Before presenting news, they must brainstorm and do lots of complicated work. Sometimes, they must cover information from harsh conditions such as war, natural calamities, etc. Within 24 hours, they may be called and should be ready for any shifts.
Top journalism Schools and Institutes
- High School Journalism Institute, Indiana University
- Missouri School of Journalism
- Manship School of Mass Communication, Louisiana State University Baton Rouge, LA
- The University of Kansas, Kansas Journalism Institute
- Mayborn Graduate Institute of Journalism, Texas
- University of Minnesota, Institute for New Media Studies, Sc.
- Journalism Department, University of Mississippi
Employment opportunities
- TV channels
- Radio Stations
- As a host in award functions, reality shows, comedy, etc.
Employers
- BBC
- Fox News
- CNN IBN
- ABC
- CBS
- NBS
Top 10 News journalists and anchors
- Lester Holt: Lester Holt is an American broadcast journalist with NBC Nightly News.
- Fredricka Whitfield: Fredricka Whitfield is a news anchor for CNN.
- Christiane Amanpour: She is the Chief International anchor of CNN.
- Hu Shuli: She is a Chinese journalist and editor-in-chief of Caixin Media Group.
- Bob Woodward: He is an American investigative journalist and one of the most high-profile names in journalism.
- Anderson Cooper: He is an American journalist and host of a popular show named Anderson Cooper 360.
- Louis Sebastian Theroux: A British journalist associated with BBC.
- Eugene Scott: He is the reporter for The Washington Post
- Shereen Bhan: She is the Delhi bureau chief and executive Head of CNBC-TV18 in India.
- Yamiche Alcindor: She is the White House journalist for PBS NewsHour.
10 highest-paid News Anchors
- Sean Hannity: He is the stalwart at Fox News with a salary of $40 million.
- Diane Sawyer: She is earning $22 million per year. Has been associated with CBS and ABC.
- Robin Roberts: He is the Co-host of ABC. Salary: $18 million.
- George Stephanopoulos: He has been associated with ABC. Salary: $15 million.
- Anderson Cooper: He is an American journalist, known for his show named Anderson Cooper 360. Salary: $12 million.
- Shepard Smith: Shepard Smith is the host of Fox News. Salary: $10 million.
- Maria Bartiromo: He is a reporter for CNBC. Salary: $10 million.
- Joe Scarborough: He is associated with MSNBC. Salary: $8 million.
- Bret Baier: He is the host of Fox News. Salary: $7 million.
- Scott Pelley: He is one of the important anchors of CBS News. Salary: $ 7 million.