Think a television News Anchor Job is easy? Grumpy Editor finds that like other employment positions these days, a person has to do the work of two, three or four people --- all at one salary.
No longer is an Anchor just an anchor. Check this in the opening paragraph of “the opportunity” pitch from an NBC network affiliate station:
"News anchor must be able to Write Stories, report and produce local news stories on air and for live broadcast shows."
But that’s not all. Talk about multitasking, look at the chores (described as “essential functions”) that are wrapped up in the position, including...
"Conduct research to write and present stories that attract the viewer’s interest.
Provide input to the show producer on show content and format.
Write stories, headlines and news updates for television, online and digital platforms.
Expect to report from field, live shots, interviews and package stories.
Write and copy edit assigned scripts in newscasts.
Make appearances before social and civic groups and at schools and colleges on behalf of the station.
Involvement in social Media platforms."
Doesn’t look like much time for a break, even to sip a Coke.
But wait, there’s more, among many qualifications and requirements:
"Must possess a minimum of five years television anchor/reporter experience.
Must have strong Spanish language skills, verbal and written.
Ability to ad-lib effortlessly in various types of situations.
Must be willing to work extended hours, weekends and holidays with short notice.
Proven record of contributing story ideas."
Whew!
IN CASE YOUR FAVORITE NEWS OUTLETS MISSED THESE…
Eight days into spring, but don't talk about global warming to folks in the central and eastern U.S. shivering from Arctic air (blamed on the polar vortex) or the Pacific Northwest hit by a blast of cold and snow…Time to build more reservoirs? El Nino-fueled storms dumped so much water on Northern California in recent days that Lake Shasta, which serves (previously dry) Golden State farmland, starts to release water at a high 20,000 cubic feet per second, first time in five years that water is dumped into the upper Sacramento River at such a rapid rate…A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds 37 percent of likely U.S. voters rate media coverage of the 2016 presidential campaign as good or excellent while 33 percent say media are doing a poor job…Carnival starts travel to Cuba on May 1, first U.S. cruise ship operator in 50 years to win the right from Cuba authorities to sail from the U.S. to the Caribbean Island…Sherwin-Williams Co. reaches agreement to buy rival paint company Valspar Corp. in a cash deal estimated at nearly $9 billion…Freedom Communications, publisher of two Southern California newspapers, accepts a $51.8 million takeover bid from Digital First Media instead of a higher offer --- $56 million --- from Los Angeles Times owner Tribune Publishing. It follows the Justice Department’s filing of a lawsuit saying acquisition by Tribune would lessen competition. Digital First is parent of the Denver Post and Boulder Camera…GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump names a woman journalist he admires: Andrea Tantaros, political analyst and commentator, labeling her “a true journalistic professional.” Meanwhile, “shocked” TV journalists spent hours over several days during the week focusing on Trump’s name written in chalk around the campus of Emery University, Atlanta. (Hey, it's chalk, rain washes it away.) Four dozen protesting students called out, “It is our duty to fight for our freedom. It is our duty to win. We must love each other and support each other. We have nothing to lose but our chains.”
Breaking news?
Fox Business News on radio Saturday runs the previous day’s aged report.
