Local television news remains the most trusted news source for people in communities throughout the United States. Local television newsrooms produce the majority of the original reporting being done in most communities. News Producers may be the most vital core component to creating any local television newscast.

These Producers help shape the editorial direction of any day by taking part in the story selection process. They write, coordinate, plan, and execute each newscast in a highly collaborative environment. The Producer weaves each story together to create a full, vibrant picture of that day to inform the community. Quite simply, without Producers there is no way to execute local television news.

Newsroom leaders throughout the country also share one common frustration: the difficulty attracting, training, and keeping our next generation of Newscast Producers. Many journalism school students become enamored with on-air exposure, unaware of the significant role of a Newscast Producer. The growth of online news platforms has also pulled potential Producers in other directions.

Newscast producing serves as a direct pipeline to newsroom leadership. The majority of newsroom managers, including news directors, have a background in producing. Attracting more diverse candidates into the producing profession is critical to guaranteeing a wide variety of voices in newscasts now and in the future and must be a priority.

Many stations have taken on the burden of training Producers on their own due to the difficulty of getting qualified candidates. The fundamentals of the producing craft can be taught and learned in one year. Once a person is in a producing position, they will enjoy tremendous upward mobility. That could take the form of moving into larger markets or simply advancing to positions of greater authority in their newsroom. The pathway for producers to move into major markets is much more direct than it is for on-air talent.

Producing is a wonderful way for diverse candidates to work their way into newsrooms where multiculturalism is needed now more than ever. Today’s audiences want news and content that more accurately reflect their communities. News Producers are the individuals who can truly impact that outcome through their own cultural identity and background. It is of the utmost importance to train today’s students to become tomorrow’s television news producers.