Press / Media
Journalist
Related positions: Journalist, Anchor, News Anchor, News Reporter, Radio News Anchor, Radio Talk Show Host, Reporter, Staff Writer, Television News Anchor, TV News Anchor, Television News Reporter, Television Reporter, TV ReporterOverview
A Journalist researches, writes, and reports news stories for print, online, or broadcast media. They must have excellent writing and research skills, and be able to work under tight deadlines. They may specialize in a particular area of coverage, such as politics, business, or sports.
The main responsibilities of a Journalist include researching and investigating stories, conducting interviews with sources, writing and editing news articles or scripts, reporting live from the scene of events, and verifying the accuracy of information. They must also adhere to ethical standards of journalism, including avoiding conflicts of interest, maintaining objectivity, and protecting sources.
Common tasks
| Task | Related trait(s) |
|---|---|
| Researching and investigating news stories through interviews, background research, and other sources | Critical Discernment Dynamic Adaptability Deep Comprehension Social Magnetism Media Magnetism Active Listening Investigative Drive |
| Writing and editing news articles, reports, and features for print, online, or broadcast media, or covering news events | Media Magnetism Active Listening |
| Developing and maintaining relationships with sources and contacts in order to develop story leads and secure exclusive stories | Active Listening |
| Adhering to ethical and legal standards of journalism, including accuracy, fairness, and unbiased reporting | Truth Courage Journalistic Ethics Critical Discernment |
| Staying up-to-date on current events and trends, and developing expertise in specific areas of coverage | Investigative Drive |
| Collaborating with other reporters and editors | Empathetic Connection Team Synergy Journalistic Integrity |
Soft skills measured by TraitForward
| Trait | No of Questions | Cronbach’s alpha (α) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Media Magnetism | 11 | 0.84 | |
| Can they naturally captivate and engage audiences through exceptional verbal communication, maintaining viewer interest and delivering information with impact and clarity? | |||
| Active Listening | 8 | 0.71 | |
| Can they demonstrate full engagement when others speak, showing they understand both the content and emotions being conveyed, and respond in ways that advance meaningful dialogue? | |||
| Truth Courage | 5 | 0.72 | |
| Can they consistently stand up for journalistic integrity and pursue the truth even when facing significant opposition, pressure, or potential negative consequences? | |||
| Critical Discernment | 8 | 0.78 | |
| Can they thoughtfully evaluate information from multiple angles, distinguish fact from opinion, and exercise sound judgment before drawing conclusions or sharing information? | |||
| Dynamic Adaptability | 6 | 0.67 | |
| Can they maintain high energy and effectively juggle multiple responsibilities while quickly adapting to unexpected changes or challenges in the news cycle? | |||
| Social Magnetism | 9 | 0.84 | |
| Can they naturally attract, engage, and connect with various people, establishing rapport quickly and maintaining compelling interactions? | |||
| Deep Comprehension | 10 | 0.79 | |
| Can they quickly understand complex topics and extract meaningful insights that go beyond surface-level information? | |||
| Emotional Intelligence | 7 | 0.80 | |
| Can they accurately perceive others’ emotional states and effectively adapt their communication approach in response to these emotional cues? | |||
| Journalistic Ethics | 9 | 0.73 | |
| Does this candidate demonstrate a strong commitment to ethical standards, truthfulness, and fairness in their approach to gathering and reporting information? | |||
| Journalistic Integrity | 9 | 0.74 | |
| Can they consistently uphold ethical standards and truthfulness in their reporting, even when facing pressure for exclusives or when covering controversial topics? | |||
| Empathetic Connection | 6 | 0.75 | |
| Can they genuinely connect with and show understanding toward sources, subjects, and audiences, particularly when covering sensitive topics or interviewing people in vulnerable situations? | |||
| Team Synergy | 9 | 0.72 | |
| Can they effectively collaborate with diverse team members, contribute positively to group dynamics, and support collective objectives while maintaining professional relationships in high-pressure news environments? | |||
| Investigative Drive | 9 | 0.73 | |
| Do they demonstrate a natural curiosity and persistence in uncovering information, following leads, and digging beneath surface explanations to reveal the complete story? | |||
Find out the psychometric properties for the Journalist Traitforward questionnaire