Fresh Jobs at the The Citizen news

Purpose of the job:

• To cover news events assigned by the News Editor and to write accurate and well-written stories for daily publication.

Main Responsibilities:

• Production of accurate and well-written news copy
• Interviewing people in a range of circumstances
• Seeking out and investigating stories via your contacts
• Covering important events/issues timeously
• Use sources, documents, computer-assisted reporting, and other journalistic tools to develop, report and write exclusive/unique stories
• Work with the News Editor in the development of story and project ideas
• editor
• Do fact checking of all articles you write
• Adhere to Code of Ethics and Editorial Standards and Practices
• Establishing a network of contacts
• Monitor electronic news outlets to pick up on news leads and story ideas
• Working across the different news platforms of The Citizen
• Taking stories forward at any time of the day, on the most appropriate news platform of The Citizen
• Update social media accounts for the purpose of promoting The Citizen’s digital strategy.
• Study and adhere to The Citizen and citizen.co.za’s Voice and Style Guide.
• Identify and develop newsworthy online stories in conjunction with the news editor
• Monitor and utilise analytics to maximise all stories and articles published on citizen.co.za.
• Adhere to Google algorithm requirements and write with SEO and Google search in mind. Although this is a print position and the Reporter will write for the newspaper, The Citizen has a digital-first mindset and all Reporters must be familiar with digital concepts such as analytics and SEO.

Knowledge/Experience

• Talent for writing coupled with a keen news sense and interest in breaking news and current affairs
• Ability to adapt to changing news and media scene, with a keen interest in news media
• Matric and Bachelor’s degree or Diploma in Journalism
• At least 4 years’ mainstream journalism experience in a national newsroom

Other requirements:

• Valid driver’s licence essential
• Own vehicle essential
• Solid references
• No criminal record
• Please send suitable applications with a full CV to [email protected]
• Reference in subject line: News Reporter

Closing date for applications:  30 April 2024

go to method of application »

General:

• Must be competent as a copy sub.
• Must be able to work according to strict deadlines.
• Must be passionate about online news and have a strong news sense and interest in current affairs.
• Will work office-based shifts as per operational requirements.

Copyediting:

• Writes or rewrites headlines that work well online, not relying on the headlines off the wires, from journalists or what was in the paper.
• Able to correct common and more subtle errors of grammar, typos, etc.
• Ability and application to rewrite and re-angle copy whenever necessary.
• Give feedback to team members who commit the same errors repeatedly.
• Should be able to prioritise stories.
• Should have enough of a grounding in the facts of whatever stories are dominating the news cycle that he or she will be able to contextualise stories accurately where required or ask the journalist concerned to research and add required information.
• Should be able to spot and rectify mistakes or have these re-checked if something does not seem right.
• Should be aware of the laws that govern our industry so that we do not get into trouble legally or from a more general perspective.
• Names need to be checked and their spelling needs to be consistent.
• Monitor analytics to maximise all stories and articles published on citizen.co.za.
• Adhere to Google algorithm requirements and edit with SEO and Google search in mind.
• Study and adhere to The Citizen and citizen.co.za’s Voice and Style Guide.
• Adhere to Code of Ethics and Editorial Standards and Practices.

Core Competencies:

Knowledge/Experience

• Matric/Grade 12 qualification or SAQA Accredited Equivalent
• An appropriate bachelor’s or higher degree in Journalism/Linguistics or appropriate work experience.
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in mainstream journalism in a national news room.
• Advanced awareness of media law and current trends.

Skills

• Excellent communication skills
• Good computer skills
• Excellent organisational skills
• Good administrative skills

Other requirements:

• Valid driver’s licence
• Own vehicle
• Solid references
• No criminal record
• Please send suitable applications with a full CV to [email protected]

Reference in subject line: Online Sub Editor

Closing date for applications: 30 April 2024