What skills does a foreign correspondent need?

A foreign correspondent needs 25 essential skills including interview techniques, editorial standards, writing techniques, rhetoric, spelling. Core competencies include .

Will AI replace foreign correspondent jobs?

The AI disruption score for foreign correspondent is 53/100 (moderate risk). Some tasks may be automated but the role will evolve rather than disappear entirely.

Public Administration & LegalLegal, social and cultural professionalsISCO 2642

foreign correspondent

Foreign correspondents research and write news stories of international importance for newspapers, journals, magazines, radio, television and other media. They are stationed in a foreign country.

European Skills Framework

Skills and knowledge areas required for this occupation based on European classification.

Essential (25)

interview techniquesinterview techniquesThe techniques for getting information out of people by asking the right questions in the right way and to make them feel comfortable.editorial standardseditorial standardsThe guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.writing techniqueswriting techniquesThe different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.rhetoricrhetoricThe art of discourse that aims at improving the ability of writers and speakers to inform, persuade or motivate their audience.spellingspellingThe rules concerning the way words are spelled.grammargrammarThe set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.copyright legislationcopyright legislationLegislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.provide context to news storiesprovide context to news storiesProvide substantial context to national or international news stories to explain things in more detail.participate in editorial meetingsparticipate in editorial meetingsParticipate in meetings with fellow editors and journalists to discuss possible topics and to divide the tasks and workload.speak different languagesspeak different languagesMaster foreign languages to be able to communicate in one or more foreign languages.observe new developments in foreign countriesobserve new developments in foreign countriesObserve political, economic and societal developments in the assigned country, gather and report relevant information to the relevant institution.study topicsstudy topicsCarry out effective research on relevant topics to be able to produce summary information appropriate to different audiences. The research may involve looking at books, journals, the internet, and/or ...study culturesstudy culturesStudy and internalise a culture that is not your own to truly understand its traditions, rules, and workings.evaluate writings in response to feedbackevaluate writings in response to feedbackEdit and adapt work in response to comments from peers and publishers.interview peopleinterview peopleInterview people in a range of different circumstances.stay up to date with social mediastay up to date with social mediaKeep up with the trends and people on social media such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.consult information sourcesconsult information sourcesConsult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.show intercultural awarenessshow intercultural awarenessShow sensibility towards cultural differences by taking actions which facilitate positive interaction between international organisations, between groups or individuals of different cultures, and to p...apply grammar and spelling rulesapply grammar and spelling rulesApply the rules of spelling and grammar and ensure consistency throughout texts.develop professional networkdevelop professional networkReach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up ...follow ethical code of conduct of journalistsfollow ethical code of conduct of journalistsFollow the ethical code of conduct of journalists, such as freedom of speech, right of reply, being objective, and other rules.use specific writing techniquesuse specific writing techniquesUse writing techniques depending on the type of media, the genre, and the story.build contacts to maintain news flowbuild contacts to maintain news flowBuild contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council, community groups, health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general publi...write to a deadlinewrite to a deadlineSchedule and respect tight deadlines, especially for theatre, screen and radio projects.follow the newsfollow the newsFollow current events in politics, economics, social communities, cultural sectors, internationally, and in sports.

Optional (22)

pronunciation techniquespronunciation techniquesThe pronunciation techniques to properly and understandably pronounce words.multimedia systemsmultimedia systemsThe methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.desktop publishingdesktop publishingThe creation of documents using page layout skills on a computer. Desktop publishing software can generate layouts and produce typographic quality text and images.press lawpress lawThe laws concerning the licensing of books and the freedom of expression in all products of the media.do historical researchdo historical researchUse scientific methods to research history and culture.create online news contentcreate online news contentCreate and upload news content for e.g. websites, blogs and social media.apply desktop publishing techniquesapply desktop publishing techniquesApply desktop publishing techniques to create page layouts and typographic quality text.check correctness of informationcheck correctness of informationCheck if the information contains factual errors, is reliable, and has news value.adapt to changing situationsadapt to changing situationsChange approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people's needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.proofread textproofread textRead a text thoroughly, search for, review and correct errors to ensure content is valid for publishing.manage writing administrationmanage writing administrationManage the financial and administrative side of writing including making up budgets, maintaining financial records, checking contracts, etc.adapt to type of mediaadapt to type of mediaAdapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.manage personal financesmanage personal financesIdentify personal financial objectives and set up a strategy to match this target in seeking support and advice when necessary.promote one's writingspromote one's writingsTalk about one's work at events and conduct readings, speeches and book signings. Establish a network among fellow writers.write headlineswrite headlinesWrite titles to accompany news articles. Make sure they are to the point and inviting.provide written contentprovide written contentCommunicate information in written form via digital or print media according to the needs of the target group. Structure the content according to specifications and standards. Apply grammar and spelli...rewrite articlesrewrite articlesRewrite articles to correct errors, make them more appealing to the audience, and to ensure that they fit within time and space allotments.communicate by telephonecommunicate by telephoneLiaise via telephone by making and answering calls in a timely, professional and polite manner.document interviewsdocument interviewsRecord, write, and capture answers and information collected during interviews for processing and analysis using shorthand or technical equipment.follow directions of on-site directorfollow directions of on-site directorFollow the instructions of the director when covering events on location.present during live broadcastspresent during live broadcastsPresent live on political, economic, cultural, social, international or sport events, or host a live broadcast program.write captionswrite captionsWrite captions to accompany cartoons, drawings, and photographs. These captions can be humorous or explanatory.