What Is a Political Reporter?
These types of reporters present information to the public about significant political events and current government issues on the local, state, and national level. This can include reporting on things like elections, political rallies, campaigns, press conferences, presidential speeches, Supreme Court hearings, acts of Congress, and legislature.
They gather information relevant information by conducting research, interviewing sources, observing events, attending meetings, and investigating leads. They then put the information together and present it to the public in articles, broadcasts, live interviews, or news releases. Since the game of politics is often a complex one, reporters must arrange and interpret information in a way that is easy for the general public to understand. This requires them to have a solid knowledge of government structure, political operations, politician behavior, and public administration.
Political reporters must be able to separate their own personal feelings and remain objective as to not try to influence public opinion. They split their time between working in office environments where they write reports and out in the field where they gather research. Reporters typically work during regular business hours, but they often must work on evenings and weekends to make deadlines and cover events.
How to Become a Political Reporter
Those interested in becoming political reporter should earn at least a bachelor’s degree in political science, government, or public administration. In these types of majors, students learn about political processes and government structures as well how to conduct research, analyze information, and write reports.
Common courses include American political campaigns and elections, political theory, local politics and administration, community analysis, political action groups, structure of state government, and statistics and data in public policy. As this occupation involves reporting as much as politics, courses in subjects like journalism, communications, and public relations will also prove beneficial.
Along with academic qualifications, it’s also important to have gained practical experience through an internship or part-time job within the areas of politics and communication. Reporters must be able to write well, present information accurately, and use technology, so students should try to focus on and develop their skills in these areas. Many political reporters start out in entry-level jobs writing about local government and politics before advancing to covering issues and events on the national level.
Political Reporter Career Outlook & Salary
As politics becomes more complicated and diverse, the public will need qualified professionals who can present information in an understandable and trustworthy manner. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of news analyst, correspondents, and reporters is projected to decline by 6% within the next decade, with the employment of reporters and correspondents declining by 8%. This is due to the convergence of broadcast and publishing industries and the effects a poor economy has on advertising revenues.
While competition in this field is expected to be steep, those who have a solid knowledge of politics, excellent oral and writing skills, and the ability to work with new media will have the best opportunities for employment.
The Bureau reported that the median annual wages of reporters and correspondents was $34,850 in May 2008, with those working in newspaper, periodical, book, and directory publishing earning $33,430, and those working in radio and television broadcasting earning $37,710.
