Some journalists also interpret the news or offer opinions to readers, viewers, or listeners. In this role, they are called commentators or columnists. General assignment reporters write news, such as an accident, a political rally, the visit of a celebrity, or a company going out of business, as assigned. Large newspapers and radio and television stations assign reporters to gather news about specific categories or beats, such as crime or education. Some reporters specialize in fields such as health, politics, foreign affairs, sports, theater, consumer affairs, social events, science, business, and religion.
Investigative reporters cover stories that take many days or weeks of information gathering.
Some publications use teams of reporters instead of assigning specific beats, allowing reporters to cover a greater variety of stories. News teams may include reporters, editors, graphic artists, and photographers, working together to complete a story. News correspondents report on news occurring in the large U.S. and foreign cities where they are stationed. Some also solicit advertisements, sell subscriptions, and perform general office work. They are under great pressure to meet deadlines and broadcasts are sometimes made with little time for preparation.