Part-Time News Writer/Editor - WBBM-AM

Audacy, Inc.•Chicago, IL

12d•Onsite

About The Position

WBBM-AM Newsradio, Chicago's leading multi-platform news organization, is seeking a passionate, dynamic journalist to serve as a part-time news editor and writer. The hired individual will oversee the newsroom during the course of a daypart and will be responsible for creating rundowns, selecting sound to air during newscasts, writing and approving copy, and coordinating with the digital content team. Writers work off an assigned lineup drawing information from resource copy, the audio file, and appropriate network sources. Since there is little opportunity for detailed review of copy before airing, writers must "get it right the first time" and be able to work effectively under pressure. Editors must review incoming news stories from a variety of sources and choose the stories of highest interest and most relevance to the WBBM Newsradio audience. Editors assemble an hourly lineup of news for writers and anchors to prepare, assign audio to newscasts, and creatively pursue new ways of presenting stories so that they have the most impact on the audience. Editors bring stories of interest to the attention of the manager on duty for reporter follow-up. Writers and editors must work closely with anchors and reporters in preparing newscasts. In the absence of the Managing Editor and the Director of News and Programming, the editor is the de facto leader in the newsroom. Editors direct assistant producers to take in tape and feeds, and work with newsroom personnel to pursue breaking stories. Editors coordinate coverage, when required. While writers and editors work primarily with people inside the WBBM Newsroom, from time to time they must deal with people outside the newsroom. These relationships may include, but are not limited to, responding to listener inquiries, talking to police and fire officials about breaking news events, and discussing coverage plans with WBBM-TV and Audacy.

Requirements

Excellent news judgment
Familiarity with the Chicago news environment
Ability to develop compelling local story angles
Familiarity with broadcast style
Strong ability to incorporate audio into written stories
Excellent grammar
Good spelling
Ability to use social media to gather news and promote newsroom content
Understanding of legal guidelines that govern broadcast media
Excellent editorial judgment
Deep understanding of current events, national politics, and local news
Consistently maintains a friendly attitude and positive interaction when talking to listeners, the general public and with newsroom colleagues
Familiarity with local and corporate news policies, newsroom ethics and practices, and legal restrictions
Applies those policies and procedures to news stories and all other daily activities
Alerts management to content that is questionable or that may be in violation of FCC, corporate or station policies and regulations
Suggests ideas to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of station operations
Makes suggestions for change that strengthens WBBM’s relationships with listeners, advertisers, and the Chicago community
Learns, understands, and follows company policy and procedure

Responsibilities

Oversee the newsroom during the course of a daypart
Create rundowns
Select sound to air during newscasts
Write and approve copy
Coordinate with the digital content team
Review incoming news stories from a variety of sources and choose the stories of highest interest and most relevance to the WBBM Newsradio audience
Assemble an hourly lineup of news for writers and anchors to prepare
Assign audio to newscasts
Creatively pursue new ways of presenting stories so that they have the most impact on the audience
Bring stories of interest to the attention of the manager on duty for reporter follow-up
Work closely with anchors and reporters in preparing newscasts
Act as the de facto leader in the newsroom in the absence of the Managing Editor and the Director of News and Programming
Direct assistant producers to take in tape and feeds
Work with newsroom personnel to pursue breaking stories
Coordinate coverage, when required
Respond to listener inquiries
Talk to police and fire officials about breaking news events
Discuss coverage plans with WBBM-TV and Audacy

Benefits

Health care coordinator
Medical
Dental
Vision
Mental health
Telemedicine
Flexible spending accounts
Health savings account
Disability
Life insurance
Critical illness
Hospital indemnity
Accident insurance
Paid time off (sick, flex-time away/vacation days, personal, parental, volunteer)
401(k) retirement plan
Legal assistance
Life assistance program
Identity theft protection
Discounted home and auto insurance
Pet insurance