Entertainment Writer at Media24 (Pty) Ltd

Job Description

• City Press has a vacancy for an experienced, digitally savvy, dynamic newshound who knows their way around the local entertainment landscape.
• City Press is a respected news brand that publishes across platforms. Its flagship print edition is distributed nationally on a Sunday, but it also has a popular online platform, newsletters, and social media platforms that are growing quickly and are followed closely by influencers and readers.
• This position requires a journalist who has experience in reporting and working across various platforms, including print. The ideal candidate would have a large phonebook in the entertainment industry, CMS management experience and social media proficiency.
• The Entertainment Reporter role is responsible for researching, enterprising, developing, writing, editing, and delivering a written presentation of exclusive local, compelling, creative and original entertainment stories on deadline. The role will also extend to providing entertainment news stories to be published on our digital platforms. The Entertainment Reporter will have a plethora of entertainment sources and extensive knowledge of and passion for local entertainment news.
• Communication skills are key because the incumbent will be required to work across platforms and departments.
• This is a very varied skill set and training will be provided where needed, but the ideal candidate will need to be a self-starter who can work independently. The ideal candidate will be a passionate and creative journalist with proven experience writing celebrity and entertainment content.

Responsibilities will include:

• Generate and write strong, exclusive, must-read, multi-platform entertainment stories using celebrity and industry contacts
• Keep abreast of all the latest celebrity, entertainment and pop-culture news
• Be able to write in different styles and tones
• Setting up a weekly diary and following through
• Grow the City Press online audience by writing snappy entertainment articles
• Processing and publishing copy on the CMS. A good understanding of SEO concepts is necessary.
• Publishing social media posts on various platforms, including Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn

Ideal Profile:

• A proven ability to create the sort of journalism City Press is known for, i.e., a varied portfolio will be required.
• A valid driver’s licence.
• Good grasp of journalism and the news business.
• The ability to co-operate with graphic artists and page layout staff to present reports in a visually attractive and understandable way.
• A good instinct for news, for law and justice, for ethical conduct and good judgement.