What does a News Anchor do?

News Anchors deliver news directly to an audience. If your News Anchor has a professional presence, they can enhance your organization’s credibility and convince viewers to trust your reporting.

News Anchors typically participate in community events, so a News Anchor can help your company form positive relationships with audience members and advertisers.

News Anchor skills and qualifications

A successful News Anchor must be flexible, as live broadcasts don’t always go as expected. Other skills you might list in your News Anchor job description include:

• Ability to read from a teleprompter

• Research skills to develop story ideas, prepare questions and interview potential guests

• Time management skills to cover multiple new stories and meet deadlines

• Verbal communication skills to interact with guests

• Knowledge of current events

News Anchor experience requirements

News Anchors generally need several years of experience in an on-air role. In your News Anchor job description, you may list a preference for applicants with at least three years of experience in field reporting.

Requiring on-air experience makes it possible to find candidates who are comfortable around cameras, teleprompters and other broadcasting equipment. Recent graduates may have prior experience working for their school’s paper.

News Anchor education and training requirements

A News Anchor typically needs a bachelor’s degree in journalism, broadcasting or communications. You may also consider applicants with closely related degrees, such as a bachelor’s in public relations or mass media.

Job description samples for similar positions

If this News Anchor job description isn’t a fit for your needs, the following job descriptions may better align with your company’s needs:

• Public Relations Specialist

• Video Editor

• Videographer

News Anchor job description FAQs

What is the difference between a Newscaster and an Anchor?

Media outlets use these titles interchangeably, so you may want to advertise openings with both terms to attract applicants. You may also consider using the term “Newscaster” in your job description.

What is a News Anchor vs. Reporter?

A News Anchor presents the news during a live broadcast, while a Reporter develops stories for television stations, newspapers and other media outlets. News Anchors typically sit at a desk and read from a teleprompter. In contrast, a reporter may attend press conferences, conduct on-site interviews or write scripts for live broadcasts.

Why is time management so important for News Anchors?

The newsroom is a fast-paced environment. Some News Anchors may have to deliver breaking news, giving them little time to prepare. It’s also possible for a TV studio or radio station to have technical difficulties, leaving a News Anchor to improvise while someone fixes the teleprompter or sound board.

Does a News Anchor conduct interviews?

A News Anchor’s job duties depend on your organization’s needs. Some organizations use their Anchors only as News Presenters. Others require their News Anchors to interview guests and Field Reporters. If your company has live programming, you may benefit from hiring an Anchor with strong interviewing skills. Even if they don’t conduct interviews right away, they may be more prepared to step in and interview guests when needed.