News Reporter

News Reporter

Reading Full-Time 28800 - 48000 £ / year (est.) No home office possible
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Newsquest Media Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Uncover breaking news and tell engaging stories using digital platforms.
  • Company: Join a leading media company dedicated to community journalism.
  • Benefits: Gain valuable experience, develop your skills, and work in a dynamic environment.
  • Why this job: Make a real impact by sharing stories that matter to your community.
  • Qualifications: NCTJ qualifications preferred; strong writing and social media skills essential.
  • Other info: Flexible shifts with opportunities for creativity and collaboration.

The predicted salary is between 28800 - 48000 £ per year.

Overview

News Reporter

Application Deadline: 24 September 2025

Department: Editorial

Employment Type: Permanent

Location: Reading

Reporting To: Andrew Colley

Description

The Reading Chronicle is looking for a digital reporter to join our talented team. We are seeking an ambitious, digitally skilled and versatile journalist to unearth the best breaking news, features, leisure and trending stories on an incredibly lively patch. The right candidate will be delivering the sort of fast, agile, and dynamic coverage that our readers expect and deserve. You’ll be passionate about digital storytelling, with a desire to come up with new and innovative ways of telling those stories using a vast array of different skills, tools, and platforms.

Responsibilities

A significant part of the job will also involve immersing yourself in social media to help you tell your stories, develop relationships in your area, and discover what it is that gets your community talking. We want to tell the stories our communities care about – everything from what’s happening on the roads to the latest on crime on our streets and delivering the inside story of the people and places that make your towns and cities tick.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

Ideally, you will be an outstanding trainee with gold standard NCTJ preliminary qualifications and 100wpm or a fully qualified senior reporter.

A driving licence is essential, as is access to a car. We work on a rota basis with some early and late shifts as well as some weekend working.

You’ll also have:

  • Excellent knowledge of relevant media law
  • A versatile, fresh and energetic writing style
  • Exceptional attention to detail
  • The ability to write – and think – quickly under pressure
  • An adaptable style to produce everything from live blogs and listicles to long-reads and features
  • Skills with shooting and editing video, as well as online tools and apps for producing images and audio
  • Bags of ideas for how stories can be presented in the best possible way for our audiences
  • Knowledge of SEO and its importance to digital journalism
  • Excellent social media skills and the ability to spot stories and trending topics
  • Great people skills and the ability to get on with a wide range of people in the community
  • A high level of organisation and the ability to manage your own diary
  • Collaborative skills to pool ideas with the wider digital reporting team and take on board suggestions

Closing details

The closing date for applications is Wednesday, September 24. Applications will be reviewed as they are received, so please submit your details as soon as possible.

About Newsquest Media Group

We are a media company with a difference. We are committed to bringing a voice to your region by investing in a passionate team of journalists who proudly serve their communities by sharing authoritative news that readers trust. Our sales teams provide local businesses with highly responsive digital advertising and marketing solutions.

We are one of the largest regional news publishers in the UK and have a portfolio of more than 250+ local news brands and magazines online and in print. With an online audience of 41 million users a month and 7 million readers a week in print, our content is read by a substantial proportion of the UK population.

In addition to our local news brands, we own several digital pure play and specialist media businesses such as s1jobs and s1homes, Exchange & Mart, and Newsquest Specialist Media. We also own LOCALiQ, an award-winning digital marketing agency that specialises in driving more leads, increasing online growth and generating return on marketing investment on behalf of thousands of UK SMBs.

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News Reporter employer: Newsquest Media Group

At Newsquest Media Group, we pride ourselves on fostering a vibrant and inclusive work culture that empowers our journalists to thrive. As a News Reporter in Reading, you'll benefit from a supportive environment that encourages creativity and innovation, alongside opportunities for professional growth within one of the UK's largest regional news publishers. With a commitment to community engagement and a focus on digital storytelling, you'll find meaningful and rewarding employment that makes a real impact.
Newsquest Media Group

Contact Detail:

Newsquest Media Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫

We think this is how you could land News Reporter

✨Tip Number 1

Get your networking game on! Connect with journalists and media professionals on platforms like LinkedIn or Twitter. Engage with their content, share your thoughts, and don’t be shy to reach out for a chat about opportunities.

✨Tip Number 2

Show off your digital skills! Create a portfolio showcasing your best work, including articles, videos, and social media posts. Make sure it’s easily accessible online so potential employers can see what you’re capable of.

✨Tip Number 3

Stay on top of the news! Follow local stories and trends in Reading, and be ready to discuss them in interviews. This shows your passion for the community and your commitment to delivering relevant content.

✨Tip Number 4

Apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive and eager to join our team at Newsquest Media Group.

We think you need these skills to ace News Reporter

Digital Storytelling
Social Media Skills
Writing Skills
Attention to Detail
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Video Shooting and Editing
Knowledge of Media Law
SEO Knowledge
Organisational Skills
Collaboration Skills
Creativity in Story Presentation
Community Engagement Skills
Adaptability in Writing Style
Diary Management

Some tips for your application 🫡

Show Your Passion for Digital Storytelling: When you're writing your application, let your enthusiasm for digital journalism shine through. Share examples of how you've used different platforms and tools to tell stories in innovative ways. We want to see that you’re not just a reporter, but a storyteller at heart!

Tailor Your Application: Make sure to customise your CV and cover letter for the News Reporter role. Highlight your relevant skills, like your knowledge of media law and social media prowess. We love seeing candidates who take the time to connect their experience with what we’re looking for!

Be Concise and Engaging: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use an engaging writing style that reflects your personality and versatility as a journalist. Remember, we’re looking for someone who can write quickly and effectively under pressure, so show us you can do just that!

Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to submit your application through our website! It’s the best way to ensure it gets into the right hands. Plus, it shows us you’re serious about joining our talented team at the Reading Chronicle. We can’t wait to hear from you!

How to prepare for a job interview at Newsquest Media Group

✨Know Your Stories

Before the interview, dive into the latest news stories from the Reading Chronicle and other local outlets. Familiarise yourself with trending topics in the area and think about how you would cover them. This shows your passion for digital storytelling and your understanding of what resonates with the community.

✨Show Off Your Skills

Prepare to discuss your writing style and any multimedia skills you have. Bring examples of your work, whether it's articles, videos, or social media posts. Highlight how you've used different platforms to tell stories and engage audiences, as this aligns perfectly with what the company is looking for.

✨Be Social Media Savvy

Since social media plays a big role in this role, come ready to discuss how you use it to find stories and connect with the community. Share specific examples of how you've leveraged social media to break news or engage with readers, demonstrating your ability to adapt to the fast-paced nature of digital journalism.

✨Ask Insightful Questions

At the end of the interview, don’t shy away from asking questions. Inquire about the team dynamics, the types of stories they prioritise, or how they measure success in their digital coverage. This not only shows your interest but also helps you gauge if the company is the right fit for you.

News Reporter
Newsquest Media Group
Location: Reading
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