Career as a Crime Reporter is Challenging
It has become a common practice to hear and read about crimes taking place in the locality, state or in the country. There is no doubt that today the crime rate has reached up to an alarming situation. The journalists, who report of the crime beats and police beats are called crime reporters. They cover every aspect of the crime from robberies to murders, theft, fraud, kidnapping, sexual assaults and many other nuisances that are taking place in our civilised society.
People also take a keen interest in crime reporting now, they like to read and watch news which reports the crimes in the society or worldwide. This has given rise to crime journalism. The crime reporters are also given incentives to report any criminal activities.
Today, a large number of crime reporters are working in this field with various news channels and newspapers. The cut throat competition among news channels has made their job even more challenging and difficult. Since, they also cover terrorism, accidents, airplane collisions, natural disasters and fires so their personal safety also poses a threat. There have been instances in the past, when crime reporters were arrested along with frenzy mob in communal riots and civil wars. They have also suffered injuries while covering perilous circumstances.
A crime reporter has to work closely with police, local authority and judicial officers. Attorneys could also be useful aid for crime reports. They give breaking news about an on-going trial or a high profiled case where big fishes are also involved. Thus, to cultivate hormonial and cordial relations with all of them would be in favour of crime reporters only.
However, if a crime reporter fails to maintain a professional relationship with these lawmen, he invites risks of a losing a sensational crime story. In future, he/she would not be alerted about any new turn in a crime case, new discoveries of evidence or new legal strategies. There are no other liable source of information except police, courts and prosecutors.
Crime reporters find employment in newspapers, radio, magazines, online publications, radio and TV broadcast stations. Crime reporters can become a columnist by writing for a daily police column for some newspapers which compile of brief accounts regarding local criminal activities, thefts, arrests and suspects who are in the wanted list of cops. There are great opportunities for crime reporters, such as he/she could choose to become news analyst, news bureau director, broadcast producers, programme manger, publisher, news anchor crime chat show hosts and book writer.
The life of a crime reporter is hectic and has to meet deadlines constantly. He/she spends most of his/her life in the field collecting crime stories or finding leads unlike other journalists who spend half of their day in the office.
For criminal journalism, you could go for journalism degree course from a recognised institute or journalism diploma or certification course. Your communication skills and command over English also play a crucial role in your interview.
If you are employed as an entry-level reporter, you would assist senior reporters by conducting research for their stories. With the advancement of experience, more difficult stories would be assigned to you.
Source: Merinews
Date: 5th October, 2010
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