By Brittnee Exum
Fall 2013
My internship at Fox 5 News has everything to do with my major, broadcast journalism. I aspire to become a television news reporter. Inside the Fox newsroom, I am surrounded by seasoned journalists who tell compelling stories. Many times, I’m able to accompany reporters on their assignments. I get to be a part of the news production process from start to finish.
In the morning, I attend a daily meeting where producers, reporters, writers, assignment editors, the news director and other team members develop the content for the evening newscast. Reporters pitch stories and many times are assigned to breaking news stories. The news team also decides what other stories they will talk about in the newscast and possible guests they may want to bring in to elaborate on a topic.
Once the morning meeting is over, everyone works together to bring the vision for the show into fruition. Depending on the story, I shadow a reporter in the field. For instance, I recently went out with a reporter and photographer who were assigned to cover a FBI press conference giving updates on the latest facts in the Navy Yard shooting investigation. Once the press conference was over, we returned the newsroom. The reporter selects the soundbites and shot sequence for their story. In addition, they write the script for the story. Meanwhile, the photographer is editing the piece according to the reporter’s notes. Both the reporter and photographer communicate with each other to achieve the final product for the newscast.
On the days I don’t travel with a reporter, I sit at the assignment desk. I answer the phones and may times listen to people pitch story ideas. I take detailed notes and leave them for producers to decide if whether we should pursue the story. The most buzz happens at the assignment desk when breaking news occurs. I help to research the latest information and confirm facts of stories that are unfolding. The experience I’m gaining at Fox 5 is preparing me to enter the news field.
With the rest of the COM students at the National Press Building
