Profession foreign correspondent

Foreign correspondents research and write news stories of international importance for newspapers, journals, magazines, radio, television and other media. They are stationed in a foreign country.

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Personality Type

• Artistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Copyright legislation

  Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.

• Writing techniques

  The different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.

• Editorial standards

  The guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.

• Grammar

  The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.

• Interview techniques

  The techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.

• Spelling

  The rules concerning the way words are spelled.

• Rhetoric

  The art of discourse that aims at improving the ability of writers and speakers to inform, persuade or motivate their audience.

Skills

• Evaluate writings in response to feedback

  Edit and adapt work in response to comments from peers and publishers.

• Interview people

  Interview people in a range of different circumstances.

• Participate in editorial meetings

  Participate in meetings with fellow editors and journalists to discuss possible topics and to divide the tasks and workload.

• Build contacts to maintain news flow

  Build contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council, community groups, health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general public, etc.

• Show intercultural awareness

  Show sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to promote integration in a community.

• Observe new developments in foreign countries

  Observe political, economic and societal developments in the assigned country, gather and report relevant information to the relevant institution.

• Apply grammar and spelling rules

  Apply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.

• Follow ethical code of conduct of journalists

  Follow the ethical code of conduct of journalists, such as freedom of speech, right of reply, being objective, and other rules.

• Write to a deadline

  Schedule and respect tight deadlines, especially for theatre, screen and radio projects.

• Speak different languages

  Master foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.

• Develop professional network

  Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.

• Consult information sources

  Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.

• Provide context to news stories

  Provide substantial context to national or international news stories to explain things in more detail.

• Study topics

  Carry out effective research on relevant topics to be able to produce summary information appropriate to different audiences. The research may involve looking at books, journals, the internet, and/or verbal discussions with knowledgeable persons.

• Follow the news

  Follow current events in politics, economics, social communities, cultural sectors, internationally, and in sports.

• Use specific writing techniques

  Use writing techniques depending on the type of media, the genre, and the story.

• Stay up to date with social media

  Keep up with the trends and people on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

• Study cultures

  Study and internalise a culture that is not your own to truly understand its traditions, rules, and workings.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB