Sometimes, to meet deadlines, reporters deliver their news story over the telephone or use portable computers to enter the story which is then sent by modem directly to the newspaper's computer system. Although electronic technology has brought change to the newspaper office, it has not diminished the need for reporters. Automation has eliminated the legendary clamor of the large news room in favor of a more high-tech information producing operation. Reporters often work unscheduled overtime, and must have a high energy level to keep up with the fast pace of this occupation. They must also be prepared to work under stressful situations such as earthquakes, fires, floods, shoot-outs, and other dangerous conditions.
Reporters work both indoors and outdoors, dealing with all kinds of people.
They may work for long periods on unproductive leads. Editors have the option of revising, shortening, or deleting their stories from the newspaper. When a newspaper is under union contract, reporters may be required to become members of the local. The situation is brighter at suburban dailies and weeklies, which are doing better than their urban counterparts. Employers at big city dailies have become selective in their hiring choices, aware of the intense competition for the available entry-level reporter jobs.