General News Reporter

General News Reporter

City of Westminster Full-Time 31800 - 44520 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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PA Media Group

At a Glance

  • Tasks: Join our team to produce fast, accurate news stories and cover exciting events.
  • Company: PA is a leading news agency in the UK and Ireland with over 150 years of experience.
  • Benefits: Enjoy 25 days holiday, health cash plan, gym access, and more perks.
  • Why this job: Be part of a respected team known for speed and accuracy in journalism.
  • Qualifications: Experience in reporting, knowledge of media law, and NCTJ qualification required.
  • Other info: We celebrate individuality and support your career growth with clear pathways.

The predicted salary is between 31800 - 44520 Β£ per year.

Overview

We are looking for a top quality reporter to join our general news reporting team in London. This is an exciting opportunity to join a highly-respected team with a reputation for speed and accuracy that is second to none. Based in London, the successful candidate will be a first-rate all-round news reporter comfortable with court cases, inquests, your own exclusives and off-diary uplifting stories and much more.

Responsibilities

  • Producing accurate, fast, impartial and clearly written copy in line with the PA news agency\’s core standards
  • Taking stills and shooting video where required
  • Using social media to source exclusive and breaking news stories
  • Working as part of a team with fellow general reporters but also helping our specialist correspondents
  • Working closely with PA customers, whether local or national
  • The ability to verify and source social media material

Qualifications and requirements

  • Extensive experience of reporting – ideally to agency/daily newspaper level
  • Up-to-date knowledge of media law and an interest in politics
  • Minimum 100wpm shorthand
  • Ability to work under pressure
  • An NCTJ or equivalent qualification
  • The ability to verify and source social media material

About PA

PA is the UK and Ireland\’s trusted national news agency, delivering 24/7 multimedia journalism to every major newsroom across the country. With more than 150 years of newsgathering experience, our commitment to fast, fair and accurate reporting was recently recognised when PA Media was named National News Media Organisation of the Year at the Media Freedom Awards. We sit at the heart of PA Media Group, a diverse portfolio of media and data businesses, including the picture agency Alamy and the video platform StreamAMG. Whether it\’s breaking news, live video, expert analysis or high-quality visuals, we provide essential content to publishers, broadcasters and brands.

Culture and recruitment

We\’re proud of our inclusive culture where individuality is celebrated, and people are empowered to do their best work. If you need adjustments during the recruitment process, please contact our recruitment team – we\’re here to help. We are committed to transparency, fairness and growth. All our editorial roles are mapped to a clear career pathways, with defined expectations at each level to support your development.

Salary and benefits

The minimum salary for the job level in which this role sits is Β£31,800.

  • 25 days holiday
  • Holiday purchase scheme
  • Annual wellbeing day
  • Annual volunteering day
  • Annual eye care vouchers
  • BUPA Health cash plan
  • Life Assurance (4x salary)
  • Onsite gym
  • Employee Assistance Programme

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General News Reporter employer: PA Media Group

Join PA Media, a leading news agency in London, where you will be part of a dynamic team renowned for its commitment to fast and accurate reporting. We offer a supportive work culture that values individuality and provides clear career pathways, alongside competitive benefits such as 25 days holiday, a wellbeing day, and a BUPA health cash plan. With over 150 years of experience, we empower our reporters to excel in their craft while making a meaningful impact in the world of journalism.
PA Media Group

Contact Detail:

PA Media Group Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land General News Reporter

✨Tip Number 1

Familiarise yourself with the latest news trends and stories in London. Being well-versed in current events will not only help you during interviews but also demonstrate your passion for journalism.

✨Tip Number 2

Network with other journalists and media professionals in London. Attend industry events or join online forums to connect with people who can provide insights or even refer you to opportunities within the field.

✨Tip Number 3

Practice your shorthand skills regularly to ensure you meet the minimum requirement of 100wpm. This will not only boost your confidence but also show your commitment to the role during the application process.

✨Tip Number 4

Stay active on social media platforms, particularly Twitter, to follow breaking news and engage with other reporters. This will help you build a portfolio of sourced stories and demonstrate your ability to verify information from social media.

We think you need these skills to ace General News Reporter

Excellent Writing Skills
Strong Research Abilities
Knowledge of Media Law
Shorthand Proficiency (minimum 100wpm)
Ability to Work Under Pressure
Social Media Savvy
Team Collaboration
Attention to Detail
Time Management
Interviewing Skills
Adaptability to Changing News Environments
Critical Thinking
Multimedia Journalism Skills
Ethical Reporting Practices

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV highlights your extensive reporting experience, particularly in agency or daily newspaper settings. Emphasise your skills in producing accurate and fast copy, as well as your knowledge of media law and politics.

Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: In your cover letter, express your passion for journalism and your understanding of the role's requirements. Mention specific examples of your work that demonstrate your ability to handle court cases, inquests, and breaking news stories.

Showcase Your Multimedia Skills: If you have experience taking stills or shooting video, be sure to include this in your application. Highlight any relevant social media work where you've sourced exclusive stories, as this is crucial for the role.

Prepare for the Interview: Research PA Media and their commitment to fast, fair, and accurate reporting. Be ready to discuss how you can contribute to their team and share your thoughts on current news topics, demonstrating your up-to-date knowledge of the industry.

How to prepare for a job interview at PA Media Group

✨Know Your News

Stay updated on current events and major news stories, especially those relevant to the role. Being able to discuss recent headlines or breaking news during your interview will demonstrate your passion and knowledge of the industry.

✨Showcase Your Writing Skills

Prepare samples of your writing that highlight your ability to produce clear, accurate, and engaging copy. Be ready to discuss your process for verifying information and how you ensure impartiality in your reporting.

✨Familiarise Yourself with Media Law

Brush up on media law and ethical reporting standards. Understanding these principles is crucial for a reporter, and being able to articulate them during your interview will show that you are well-prepared and knowledgeable.

✨Demonstrate Teamwork

Be prepared to discuss your experience working in a team environment. Highlight instances where you collaborated with others, especially in high-pressure situations, as this role requires working closely with fellow reporters and specialists.

General News Reporter
PA Media Group
Location: City of Westminster
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