Senior Bulletin Writer- Tshivenda

Requisition ID 13223 - Posted - News & Current Affairs - TV News: Bulletins - GP - Auckland Park

Position ID:

Location: Johannesburg

Closing DATE: 12 FEBRUARY 2026

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

To lead, guide and provide editorial direction to a production team to provide depth of coverage to current issues on-air by investigating and exploring angles of news stories, developments and trends for Television News.

• Lead effective, efficient, and creative brainstorming sessions for news programming and content selection in accordance with SABC News editorial objectives and the public mandate.
• Compile a list and running order of stories, interviews, and determine questions and answers for designated news programmes.
• Attend daily national diary line-talk meetings with or at the request of the line manager.
• Determine and assign stories, and continuously give direction to the production team.
• Ensure that all stories adhere to the highest quality editorial and language standards.
• Continuously follow up on the progress of stories until delivered for on-air production and broadcast.
• Research, analyse and understand the undercurrents, subtexts and nuances in news stories, developments, and trends to determine their importance, relevance, and impact on the target audience.
• Determine different news angles for each story to pursue for broadcast.
• Write, translate, voice, package and edit quality stories and features in accordance with platform requirements.
• Brief presenter/s on different story angles to pursue.
• Verify audiovisual material and scripts to ensure factual accuracy, balance, and fairness.
• Brief technical producers/directors on the programme running order and collaborate in preparing for broadcasts.
• Write and produce strong teasers and programme trails with defining, meaningful and memorable soundbites.
• Print scripts and line-up according to the programme structure.
• Engage in, coordinate and check social media activity and content for the enhancement of the programme.
• Perform and assign on-air tasks to producers (social media, follow-ups, and breaking stories).
• Continuously review programmes for improvements.
• Alert relevant editor about live interviews and breaking news for consideration.
• Follow-up and respond to stories, leads and tip-offs before, during and after broadcasts.
• Consult and engage on stories daily and in advance of known news events, including briefing and debriefing sessions.
• Promote good professional and interpersonal relations and maintain a productive environment.
• Contribute to compliance reports and listener complaints within required deadlines.
• Write daily production reports for submission to the editor.
• Ensure that all content and programmes adhere to the SABC Editorial Policies, BCCSA and Press Codes, as well as all other broadcast regulations and policies.
• Compliance with all related policies and Standard Operating Procedures (SOP).

• National Diploma / Degree ( NQF 6/7) in Journalism or Media Studies or equivalent qualification.
• 6 years' proven experience in writing and production of news and current affairs programmes.
• Advanced understanding of regulations and legislation impacting broadcasting, as well as the SABC Editorial Policies, BCCSA and Press Codes and SABC News style guides and applicable Standard Operating Procedures.
• Mother-tongue proficiency and exceptional writing skills in the designated language (Tshivenda).
• Understanding of regulations and legislation impacting broadcasting
• Good understanding of current trends in the social, economic and political environment
• Computer literacy
• Understanding of multi-media platform productions.
• Advanced knowledge and understanding of news and current affairs production processes and systems.
• Strong news sense and editorial judgement.
• Knowledge of and interest in Television broadcast developments and trends