Live Reporter - Bournemouth Echo

Newsquest; Lower Blandford St Mary; On-site; GBP 26,000 - 34,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

25 days holiday

Birthday off

Pension plan

Employee Helpline counselling and adv

Gym membership

Cycle to Work scheme

Eye care

Retail discounts

Team building days

Volunteer charity day

Job summary

Newsquest Bournemouth Echo is seeking a driven Live Reporter to join our Bournemouth newsroom. You will cover breaking stories, file multiple pieces daily, and run live blogs while engaging with a large online audience. The role offers early/late/weekend shifts in a busy newspaper-aligned newsroom.

Ideal candidates are NCTJ qualified or studying for NCTJ, with newsroom experience and strong digital skills to craft compelling headlines and social posts.

Qualifications

• NCTJ qualification or studying towards NCTJ.
• Experience in a newsroom, student publication or journalism placement is desirable.
• Confident covering breaking news on the ground, including video.
• Strong digital instincts for online performance and social posts.

Responsibilities

• Produce breaking and trending news across our website and social platforms.
• File multiple stories a day to a high standard with sharp headlines and engaging intros.
• Run live blogs on major incidents, weather events and traffic disruptions as required.
• Attend breaking news scenes, capture multimedia content and conduct interviews.
• Hit ambitious digital page view and subscription targets.
• Publish and promote content across social channels and monitor performance.

Skills

NCTJ qualification or study

Breaking news experience

Digital storytelling

Live blogs

Interviewing

Camera presence

Education

NCTJ qualification or studying towards NCTJ

Tools

Video recording equipment

Job description

Live Reporter- Bournemouth Echo

Application Deadline: 5 November 2026

Department: Editorial

Employment Type: Permanent - Full Time

Location: Bournemouth

Reporting To: Benjamin Paessler2

Description

The Bournemouth Echo is looking for a driven Live Reporter to join our fast-paced newsroom based in the town centre.

You'll be at the heart of our breaking news operation - reacting fast, filing clean copy at speed and helping us reach and engage a large online audience every day. The best of this content will also be developed for our newspaper.

Key Responsibilities

• Produce breaking and trending news across our website and social platforms.
• File multiple stories a day to a high standard, with sharp headlines and engaging intros.
• Run live blogs on major incidents, weather events, and traffic disruptions as required.
• Attend breaking news scenes, capture multi-media content, and conduct interviews.
• Hit ambitious digital page view and subscription targets.
• Publish and promote content across social channels, write engaging posts and monitor performance.
• Use real-time analytics to shape coverage and spot opportunities to grow audience.
• Use AI technology to assist you in this role.
• Ensure all content complies with media law and the IPSO Editors' Code.

This is a full-time, office-based role in our Bournemouth newsroom, and shift patterns will include early and late shifts across the week as well as weekend shifts.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• NCTJ-qualified or studying towards NCTJ qualifications.
• Experience in a newsroom, student publication, journalism placement or equivalent environment is desirable.
• Confident covering breaking news on the ground, including video.
• Comfortable running live blogs and developing multiple stories at once.
• Strong digital instincts - you understand what makes a story perform online and how to craft engaging headlines and social posts.
• A self-starter with excellent news sense and plenty of ideas.
• A team player who can take direction, respond to feedback and thrive in a busy newsroom.
• Confident on camera, with the ambition to build a strong personal profile as a trusted local reporter.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so early submissions are encouraged. This is an entry-level role which would suit someone looking to kick-start their career in journalism.

Benefits

• 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
• Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
• Structured career progression & ongoing training
• Pension plan
• Employee Helpline counselling and advice
• Perks & discounts including:
  • Gym membership
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • Eye care
  • Retail discounts
• Team building days & annual volunteer charity day