Job Openings at Media24 (Pty) Ltd

Main Purpose:

Produce relevant, compelling and factually correct news, analysis, feature and other content on issues relevant and pertaining to the Eastern Cape for News24 and its national audience to strict deadlines each day.

Job Outputs:

• Investigate and research article content for news, analysis and feature stories on newsworthy issues and events in the Eastern Cape and South Africa;
• Produce enterprise news ideas and stories focusing on court and crime, education, politics, social ills and human interest which will set the national news agenda;
• Produce breaking news according to News24’s standards and norms;
• Maintain and grow a diverse network of contacts across all sectors, including, but not limited to, provincial, local and national government, schools, universities, think tanks, NGOs and interest groups.
• Write quality news and feature articles, adhering to strict deadlines;
• Create target-market-specific articles;
• Generate at least one in-depth feature ideas per quarter;
• Adhere to the quality, style and content standards as laid out and required by News24;
• Comply with the requirements of the South African Press Code

Skills & Competencies:

• A strong and deep understanding of the social ills plaguing the province, the workings of local and provincial governments, the police and the politics of the region.
• Able to write fluently and clearly in English;
• Creativity in problem-solving and idea generation;
• Able to work under extreme pressure and to strict deadlines;
• Good time management and the ability to multitask effectively and follow through;
• Sound news judgment;
• Knowledge of the online news environment;
• Demonstrable network of contacts in the education sector;
• Demonstrable attention to detail;
• Good people skills;
• Sound decision-making abilities
• Persistence and results orientation;
• Questioning and listening skills;
• The ability to work independently;
• Resilient;
• Initiative

Minimum Requirements:

• Diploma or degree in journalism, languages or media studies
• Experience writing for a mainstream newspaper or magazine or reporting for an online or wire news operation or a broadcast news service;
• Good general knowledge;
• Knowledge of topical issues and current affairs;
• Valid driver’s licence;
• Passion for media.

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Main purpose

The Night News Editor’s main responsibility is to ensure a solid offering of high-quality news articles for AM publication. The successful candidate will work with news editors and journalist to shape angles, sharpen copy and write spectacular headlines. 

Key responsibilities

• The candidate will liaise closely with the Head of News to identify premium news stories for AM publication. He/she will liaise with news editors and reporters about story progress and delivery. He/she will check that stories are delivered into the CMS, marked and linked.
• Ensure that the optimum angle for every story is identified. This entails considering the original angle, but changing it if necessary, and in conjunction with the reporter. This is one of the most crucial functions of this position.
• Ensure that AM stories have creative and gripping headlines. No headline must be bland or boring and must be accurate and enticing to readers to engage with our journalism.
• Stories must be structured logically and in such a way that the headline, angle and body of the story makes sense. Stories should be reangled if necessary and reasoning communicated to reporters.
• Check that a multiplicity of sources are located and quoted in stories.
• Ensure that stories comply with the SA Press Code and legal requirements.
• Monitor quality local news sources to identify stories for News24.

Skills and competencies

• The successful candidate has an excellent track record of production work and/or news editing.
• A deep knowledge of South Africa’s current affairs and political landscape.
• A demonstrated commitment to the highest standard of quality journalism.
• Proven people skills and the ability to communicate clearly and work under pressure.
• Excellent writing, rewriting and/or editing skills.

Qualifications and experience

• At least 7 years' experience in the newsroom.
• A solid track record of identifying strong, exclusive angles that serve readers well.
• A relevant tertiary qualification.
• Digital experience in a news environment is recommended.