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What does a News Producer do?

Tiffany Manley
Tiffany Manley

A news producer manages a television news show’s content. He or she might also gather news stories, write scripts and manage the overall flow of the show. There are no specific educational requirements, but a news producer typically has a college degree.

Deciding which items to include in a news show can be the most important task a news producer will complete. He or she might meet with editors, news directors and photographers in order to decide which news stories to use for a program. Together they decide what might be used.

News producers decide on content for a show and often write scripts for news anchors.
News producers decide on content for a show and often write scripts for news anchors.

Keeping an eye on wire reports and other news outlets is another way a producer might find content for a news program. Monitoring other news sources can give a news producer perspective on the way another source covered a story or how another source reported on one the producer didn’t choose. This part of the job can last all day.

A producer must follow through with all stories that he or she decides to use. Some stories might fall through, and new stories can develop. A producer must make sure that all stories that are expected to be used for the program feature the most current information and are portrayed in an interesting and accurate way.

The ability to think on one's feet is important for a producer of live news and interview productions.
The ability to think on one's feet is important for a producer of live news and interview productions.

Not only must a news producer decide on content for a show, he or she must also write scripts or oversee the writing of scripts for news anchors. The producer will assign anchors to the various stories being covered. Scripts for the anchors will then be placed in order based on the order of pieces being covered in the show.

Ensuring sufficient video and graphics are available is another part of what a news producer does. These items make a news story interesting and help convey additional information about the subject. If video or graphics are not available, the producer should be able to know how to locate appropriate ones.

Typically, a video journalist does all or most aspects of their job independently, which may include research, shooting video, editing, and reporting.
Typically, a video journalist does all or most aspects of their job independently, which may include research, shooting video, editing, and reporting.

The ability to think on one’s feet can be an asset when working as a news producer. Breaking news might happen at any time of day, or a story might not be ready for the show in time. Also, a show could be running too long or too short, so content might need to be pulled or added. All of these can require the news producer to make split-second decisions.

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    • News producers decide on content for a show and often write scripts for news anchors.
      By: claudiaveja
      News producers decide on content for a show and often write scripts for news anchors.
    • The ability to think on one's feet is important for a producer of live news and interview productions.
      By: DeshaCAM
      The ability to think on one's feet is important for a producer of live news and interview productions.
    • Typically, a video journalist does all or most aspects of their job independently, which may include research, shooting video, editing, and reporting.
      By: Haider Y. Abdulla
      Typically, a video journalist does all or most aspects of their job independently, which may include research, shooting video, editing, and reporting.
    • News producers oversee content production for every segment of a broadcast.
      By: Innovated Captures
      News producers oversee content production for every segment of a broadcast.
    • A news producer must oversee the writing of scripts for news anchors.
      By: .shock
      A news producer must oversee the writing of scripts for news anchors.
    • Producers need to be ready to cover breaking news at any point in the day.
      By: Duncan Noakes
      Producers need to be ready to cover breaking news at any point in the day.