Crime and Court Reporter - Durban at Media24 (Pty) Ltd

Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Produce original fast and slow court reporting and ideas for news, feature and analysis stories;
• Report on breaking news stories from local courtrooms;
• Interview and report on the experiences of victims and witnesses of crime, as well as protagonists in civil cases;
• Write quality news and feature articles, adhering to strict deadlines and News24’s style;
• Adhere to the quality, style and content standards as laid out and required by the particular publication
• Live reporting into News24 live blogs on developing stories;
• Secure newsmakers for in-depth interviews on topical issues.

Skills & Competencies:

• Established network of contacts in local courts, and in local and provincial police;
• Strong command of English;
• Solid understanding of the law and judicial processes in South Africa;
• Able to work under pressure and to strict deadlines;
• Good time management, the ability to multitask effectively and complete tasks timeously;
• Sound news judgement;
• Knowledge of the online news environment and digital publishing tools, including mobile video and photos;
• Detail orientation;
• Good people skills;
• Quality orientation and the ability to deliver clean copy, and
• Understanding of the SA Press Code and adherence to our code of ethics.

Minimum Requirements: 

• Relevant tertiary qualification;
• At least 7 years’ journalism experience, some of it in reporting crime and courts;
• Excellent general knowledge;
• Insightful knowledge of KwaZulu-Natal’s judicial system;
• Insightful knowledge of the major crimes affecting South Africa;
• Insightful knowledge of the workings of the criminal justice system;
• Strong knowledge of topical issues and current affairs;
• Demonstrable network of contacts in law enforcement and/or the courts
• Valid driver’s licence;