Assistant News Director
The assistant news director is often next in line to become the station’s news director and has a solid news
background and management skills. The assistant news director is responsible for implementing the news
director’s vision and questioning the content, accuracy and fairness of stories to maintain balance and station
credibility.
Managing Editor
The managing editor – if a station has this position – manages the more day-to-day operations of the newsroom.
Business Manager for News/News Operations Manager
The business manager for news or the news operations manager takes care of the financial details for the
News department, tracking budget information, overtime pay, departmental supplies and more, keeping in close
contact with the news directors and assistant news directors.
Executive Producer
Executive producers (EP) have overall responsibility for their individual news program or show. Executive
producers direct shots, approve show content and make sure their program or show is on track. Those in this post
think in 30-second intervals and are prepared to immediately switch gears in a crisis, such as a lost feed, no-show
guest or any other unforeseeable event. Executive producers must be creative thinkers and able to create a
newscast with a defined personality that stands out and connects with viewers.
Senior Producer
Each news program or show in the larger markets has a senior producer who creatively shares with the
executive producer the responsibility for determining the composition and flow of the newscast. Senior producers
work closely with the news management, anchors, reporters, editors and the technical crews; they research news
story lines, write, select video and set interviews for news stories.
Producer and Assistant Producer
Producers help write for the shows and perform the detail-oriented tasks that, when properly done, can mean the
difference between a great show and a mediocre one, or convince a source to talk on air. Assistant or associate
producers work to make the lives of producers easier by handling any and every task assigned – whether it is
confirming a guest, driving across town for an essential prop or doing background research.
News Writer
News writers do just this: write the news. Not many stations have more than one dedicated full-time to this task;
often producers do double duty as show writers.
Futures or Planning Editor
Futures or planning editors forecast the station’s upcoming coverage by making decisions about what the
station might cover in the next days or weeks. Advance planning allows the station to develop a story rather than
just reacting to a news event.