Producer - Current Affairs
Job Description
Job Purpose:
To create and curate topical, engaging and opinion-shaping cross-platform public affairs programming.
Background and Scope:In a world where talk is cheap, but facts are sacred, ensuring that public discourse benefits from cogent and informed opinions cannot be gainsaid. This need has been made more urgent and important by the rise of propaganda and armchair punditry, as well as deliberate misinformation and disinformation.
The jobholder will produce our flagship current affairs talk shows on our broadcast platforms and ensure that they contribute to public debate in a manner that positively influences society. Working with other team members, they will also leverage our market-leading digital platforms to ensure that we maintain our leadership in key audience segments while recruiting younger audiences.
The jobholder will work closely with the News Desk to identify debate themes and guests with interesting perspectives. They will ensure that our current affairs programming is inclusive, provides a diversity of views and viewpoints, and is professionally managed in line with the Nation Media Group Editorial Policy Guidelines.
The ideal jobholder is naturally curious, has a passion for current affairs, the diligence for verification, the patience to pay attention to detail, and a commitment to truth, fairness and robust debate. Previous newsroom experience is useful, but not essential
Main Responsibilities:
• Plan, prepare and coordinate production of current affairs programming in line with the NMGU strategic objectives.
• Brief, debrief, guide and monitor talk show hosts to ensure content is aligned to the NMG Editorial Policy and Guidelines.
• Edit current affairs programme scripts and multimedia components for tone, taste, decency and fairness.
• Conduct quality control of content before broadcasts in line with the editorial policy.
• Tailor content to meet audience needs and consumption habits on digital platforms. Use audience insights to refine content strategies and improve user experience.
• Any other tasks that may be assigned from time to time.
Job Requirement
Qualifications and Experience:
Academic: Degree in journalism, political science or a related field.
Professional: Post-graduate training in media, communications or diplomacy.
Experience: At least five years of experience creating or curating content, and excellent command of English.
Core Competencies
• Intellectual curiosity.
• Broad knowledge of local and regional issues.
• Ability to work within tight deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
• Must have a good eye for detail.
• Excellent spelling, grammar and punctuation skills.
• Knowledge of digital media and social media ecosystem is an added advantage.