News Director

Overview of the News Director Position:

The News Director is the person who coordinates the activities of the news staff. The The newscast schedule is laid out by the ND and he/she is expected to notify the announcers of pre-emptions. In turn, newscast staff must notify the ND of any conflict they have with their newscast time. The ND may require them to find their own replacement, or may choose to set one up for them.

The ND also coordinates story assignment. It is her/his job to maintain an awareness of the news of the day, particularly local and/(or) campus issues, and to assign stories to staff. He/she should also be able to provide direction in news research and story writing.

It is important to provide continuity and a sense of teamwork to the news staff, and so the ND should hold regular meetings and, from time to time, social events.

The ND is a liaison between the News Department and the rest of the station. In relating to programmers, the Executive or other paid staff, the ND should keep the best interests of the department in mind.

The ND is the supervisor of the News Assistant(s). She/he assigns tasks to these individuals as needed, and provides leadership and access to training for the assistant's continued development.

The ND is expected to keep a minimum of ten regular, posted hours a week.



Department Election/Appointment Procedures for News Dept. Assistants:
Up to two positions of News Assistants shall be elected by a majority vote of news department members. The election(s) will take place within a regularly scheduled meeting, or in a special meeting providing all news members are notified two (2) weeks in advance. Nominations for the position may be made by any News Department member, or a News department member may stand for the position without nomination.

A statement of qualifications and goals must be presented by all candidates prior to a vote. Questioning of candidates is permitted prior to a recognized call to vote.

Should one or both positions become vacant and elections not possible, an appointment to the position may be made by the News Director in association with the Program Manager. Appointed positions are to be considered interim and an election must take place at the earliest convenience.

 


News Director Job Description

1. Position: News Director Director (ND)

2. Employer: CHSR Broadcasting Inc.

3. Employee's Name:

4. Employee's Signature:

5. Date:

6. Supervisor: Program Manager

7. Supervisor's Signature:

8. Date:

9.Term:

10.Status Within The Station Structure: The News Director is a department head supervised by the Program Director. However, the News Department's needs and programming requests are represented on the Executive Committee and Programming through the Spoken Word Coordinator. Therefore the News Director and the Spoken Word Coordinator shall work as equal partners to ensure a high standard of news programming. The News Director is entitled to attend and speak at Executive Committee meetings and Programming Committee meetings as a representative of their department. She/he does not have voting privilege on either committee.

11.General Accountability: All broadcast functions of the News Department are ultimately supervised by the Programming Committee and the Program Director through the News Director.

The ND is required to establish and maintain a news newscast schedule. New newscast times and duration are to be submitted to the Programming Committee prior to any changes in the schedule.
Internal changes, including (non broadcast) policies, meeting times, equipment use or personnel arrangements do not need prior approval providing they do not contradict standing policies at the station. However, the ND may be called by the Executive Committee to explain matters as they arise.

12. Dimensions:

The ND is the coordinator of the Newscast Schedule.
The ND is the final authority on which news stories may be used in a newscast.
The ND is responsible for maintaining a high level of standard for news broadcasts and is charged with deciding who qualifies as a newscaster, news writer, or reporter.
The ND is responsible for ensuring that all persons interested in doing news get prompt, adequate training.
The ND is the supervisor of the News Assistant(s).
The ND is responsible for maintaining the news budget.
The ND provides a method of story assignment that recognises CHSR FM's place on the St. Thomas/UNB Campus and in the Fredericton Community.
13. Specific Accountabilities:
The ND shall: -
maintain a neat, equipped newsroom,-
provide training, fair testing, and opportunities for advancement to all News Department members,-
ensure that necessary materials such as newspapers, faxed information, phone messages, and general contacts (ex. Current federal/provincial/city/student representatives) are up to date and accessible to all dept. Members,-
cultivate sources and assign stories, as applicable, to news staff,-
provide assistance to news staff in the form of writing, proofreading stories or other support as needed,-
establish a meeting schedule for the department members,-
provide a report to the Program Director and/or Executive Committee as requested,-
participate regularly in Staff meetings as called by the Station Manager,-
participate in budget meetings with the Executive and other paid staff,-
provide a line item department budget to the Station Manager prior to the annual budget meeting(s).
14.Qualifications:
The candidate must have a minimum of two year's experience in news or have completed two years of study in a recognized journalism program. Some broadcast experience is preferred. A knowledge of politics, particularly local and campus, is an asset. A knowledge of media Law is an asset. A clear and articulate voice and superior writing skills are required. The ability to teach news writing, reporting and announcing is required. Familiarity with both IBM and Macintosh computers and, specifically word processing programs is a definite asset. Experience supervising volunteers is an asset. Good communication skills, organizational skills and the ability to meet deadlines are essential. An understanding of the University community is an asset. Preference will be given to candidates who possess developed contacts within the news community.