Sports Reporter- Union, SC

From jjobs.com
http://www.journalismjobs.com/Job_Listing.cfm?JobID=1528587

Company: Civitas Media LLC
Position:
Sports reporter needed
Location:
Union, South Carolina
Job Status: Full-time
Salary: Not Specified
Ad Expires:
October 19, 2013
Job ID: 1528587
Website: http://www.uniondailytimes.com

Description:

The Union Daily Times in Union, S.C. – a Tuesday through Saturday daily community newspaper owned by Civitas Media LLC – needs a full-time sports writer who can bolster its sports coverage for print, the web, Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms and maintain the standards of journalism expected by Civitas Media.

We need a hard worker, a multi-tasker, someone with a knack for sports reporting, a flair for writing and a commitment to making our publication the best it can be in print and online. We need someone who can help produce a 24/7/365 sports report that is second to none in content and quality in print and online.

What we require:

Knowledge of all types of sports
Uncompromising accuracy and clarity in writing
Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Ability to meet deadlines and effectively manage time
Ability to think outside the box
Ability to make contacts in the community we cover and in the communities in which our teams play
Ability to effectively generate reader contributions
Must own a high-end digital SLR camera and have the skills to use it
We have no room for egos or attitudes. If you have either, this job and this company are not for you.

To apply, send your resume with at least five references who can speak directly to your ability to do the job, 15 non-returnable writing samples that show your sports writing and photography skills and a letter detailing why you are the person we should hire to Patricia M. Edwards, Regional Editor, P.O. Box 558, Newberry, S.C. 29108. Resumes and work samples can also be emailed to pedwards@civitasmedia.com. Resumes and attachments should be in either Word or PDF format. No telephone calls please.

 

Fuck. Off.

 

15 work samples and five references? Why not throw in a security clearance as well? Sounds like the ego and the attitude are sitting in the regional editor's cubicle.

 

Is this really unreasonable?

If you're a craftsman, shouldn't you possess the tools necessary to practice your craft?

It's standard in other industries.

 

Is a desk a tool?

But, I could see expecting someone to have their own laptop and/or cellphone.

And, the thing is, you're usually going to want, and maybe already have, better technology than your company is going to provide you with.

 

If the job title were photographer, then maybe you'd have a point. Even then, I'd argue it.

Because somehow I doubt the newspaper will be compensating whoever takes this job for the wear and tear on their camera, paying for repairs if it's damaged in the course of the job, etc. This is just someone being cheap. You want quality photos, buy a damn camera.

 

If this was 1995, maybe you'd have a point. But, the definition of a reporter, and what's expected of him/her has changed, right?

You have to be able to shoot to do your job.

So what?

If an auto mechanic can be expected to have his own tools, and is expected to maintain them, why can't a reporter be asked the same?

 

This is the requirement that would disqualify you:

We have no room for egos or attitudes. If you have either, this job and this company are not for you.

 

I thought the number of samples, references and the camera requirement were a bit much for five-day community paper.

 

Some newspaper publishers have no idea how difficult it is to take game notes, get a feel of the game, record stats, etc. with the added task of taking pictures. Reporters are reporters; photographers are photographers. It's nice if a reporter can get a photo or two in a pinch, but it's a sad time for journalism when reporters are asked to do both. And, in this case, insulting and cheap, for paper to require the new hire to own his or her own high-end camera. That frugality is a huge red flag for anybody who might think about applying. That list of people does not and will not include me.

 

Truths

 

Potential post of the year nominee here.