According to the Public Radio News Directors Guide the function of a radio news reporter is to:
“[The News Reporter]… works under the supervision of the News Director. The Reporter specializes in covering a news beat, produces daily news for radio newscasts, produces in-depth radio features, and produces special reports as assigned. The Reporter may be asked to anchor radio newscasts, appear as a guest on programs, or host programs. Increasing Web involvement is expected.”
WBFO 88.7 FM is also the local NPR station. As an intern, I have been held to the standards of any other reporter for their station. Going through the list of duties above, I can say that I have done most of them excluding hosting or anchoring a show. I am not a beat reporter, meaning I do not cover the same topic all the time (e.g. Education – Eileen Buckley). I usually come into the news room check my mailbox for anything new from Brian, (my supervisor) then take my folder with me just so I can look over any revisions from previous assignments. After that, I either make my cuts of audio or write 3 scripts from the material given to me by Brian, or I can work on my long story. I voice my long story which is around 3 minutes in length and will be on fear and why we pay to be horrified.
If I am not working in the newsroom, I am out on interviews, press conferences, town meetings… you name it I have done it or will be doing it soon. Yesterday I went on my first solo story. I covered Mayor Byron Brown’s proclamation of September 15-21st Make-A-Wish Week at Niagara Square. The process was nerve wracking, but I did well. The challenges given to the interns at WBFO are real. Everything we do as interns will be expected of us when we start to work in the field.
I anticipated this internship to be a challenge. This internship is not only teaching me valuable information from day to day, but I also feel myself grow from week to week. WBFO and NPR is not only a well respected and followed station in WNY and Canada, but also it is also where I received my daily news throughout college. Working within the newsroom with the people who deliver my news is not only a blast, but it is also an honor.