News Producer Internship ProgramFall 2023/Spring 2024

News is the bedrock of broadcast stations across Indiana. The next generation of news reporters and producers is vital for informing and serving communities across the Hoosier State and beyond.

Today, being a news producer is far more than just reporting what’s happening. Understanding how news copy is gathered, translated to the spoken word, and how reporters, photographers, producers, anchors and assignment editors all work together for broadcasting is critical – as is developing and understanding the latest digital tools and trends.

The Indiana Broadcasters Association funds a 14-week News Producer Internship with member stations to provide a college student the opportunity to learn more about broadcast news production.

A committee of the IBA Board of Directors will review all applications and select a winning internship student for the fall 2023 or Spring 2024 semesters. To be eligible, applicants must:

• Be a current, full-time college student attending an IBA Member Indiana college or university;
• Have at least an overall 2.5 GPA (on a 4.0 scale)

Application deadline is July 1, 2023.

Sample curriculum for the News Producer:

Week 1: Station orientation, intro to news production systems, wires, video services, control room orientation, assign mentor.

Week 2: What is news, station’s news philosophy, news writing with focus on writing to video and graphics; shadow production staff around news time

Week 3: Check in with mentor, intro to building graphics, how to write engaging slugs and headlines, how to use video and sound for maximum effect

Week 4: Shadowing anchors, how copy translates to spoken word, how to maximize storytelling in studio, start writing draft news copy

Week 5: Check in with mentor, shadow assignment/digital desk, understanding what makes a “good” story

Week 6: Make beat calls, gather information, write for broadcast and digital

Week 7: Understanding social media and digital platforms

Week 8: Shadow reporters, photographers and MMJs, understand demands of field crews

Week 9: Check in with mentor, assist line producers in writing and rundown building, booth newscast

Week 10: Assist producers with rundowns, pitch stories, gather information, booth newscast

Week 11: Shadow special projects/ investigative/consumer units if applicable

Week 12: Run a story meeting, pitch stories, assist line producers, booth newscast

Week 13: Student Choice and/or Additional Material

Week 14: Finish with mentor; Collect Materials for Portfolio

Apply Now

The application deadline is July 1, 2023