The news anchor, or a pair of co-anchors, presents the day's important news stories. Radio and television broadcast news analysts, called commentators, also present current news stories, but normally interpret them or discuss how specific events may affect the Nation or us personally. Frequently, a smaller television station employs only a news anchor who reads accounts of the day's stories and introduces background reports provided by the networks or by a television news service. Announcers frequently participate in community activities. A sports announcer, for example, might be the master of ceremonies at a touchdown club banquet or greet customers at the opening of a new sporting goods store.
Some announcers become well- known and highly paid personalities.
However, when broadcasting from a war zone or the site of a civil disturbance, fire, flood, or other emergency situation, newscasters may be exposed to bad weather and long hours and may risk injury. Working within a tight schedule requires split-second timing and can be physically and mentally demanding. Employment Radio and television announcers and newscasters held about 59,000 jobs in 1990. Nearly all are staff announcers, but some are freelance announcers who sell their services for individual assignments to networks and stations, or to advertising agencies and other independent producers. Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement Entry to this profession is highly competitive.