AI Live Reporter
Application Deadline: 6 February 2026
Department: Editorial
Employment Type: Permanent
Location: Newport
Reporting To: Gavin Thompson
Description
We are looking for an AI‑Assisted Live Reporter to join our Wales reporting team, based in our Newport newsroom and working across all our South Wales titles. You will be first on breaking stories across the region—whether that's live news for the South Wales Argus, urgent updates for the Western Telegraph, or fast‑moving incidents anywhere across our east and west Wales network.
This role blends live, on‑the‑ground reporting with the growing capability of AI‑powered journalism tools, designed to help you work faster, smarter and at higher impact. You'll use AI to speed up rewrites, find background information, find stories and organise content — while applying strong journalistic judgement, original reporting, and an ability to turn live moments into stories that drive audience growth.
Titles: South Wales Argus, Western Telegraph, Tivyside Advertiser, South Wales Guardian, Barry & District News, Penarth Times and others
Location: Newport newsroom (with travel across South Wales)
Shifts: Early and late shifts; weekend rota approx 1 in 4
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview day, which will include several assessments to determine suitability for the role.
Key Responsibilities
* Run live blogs, publish breaking alerts, react quickly and get to the scene of unfolding stories across South Wales.
* Cover traffic, crashes, police incidents, fires, public safety alerts, severe weather, community emergencies, and other fast‑moving events.
* Broadcast live on social (e.g. Facebook Live) and file copy, pictures and clips back to the desk at pace.
* Work collaboratively so that when you're out on the road, a colleague covers rolling updates as per live‑news coordination guidance.
* Use approved AI tools to accelerate rewrites, generate summaries, structure copy, handle competitor wraps, get up to speed on background and put stories in context—while ensuring accuracy and journalistic oversight.
* Contribute to developing and embedding AI best practice across the Wales team, helping upskill colleagues where appropriate.
* Switch between fast updates and deeper reporting: finding exclusive lines, verifying information, and adding essential context and human voices.
* Build relationships with emergency services, councils, community groups and key contacts across several South Wales patches.
* Work across all titles including the South Wales Argus, Western Telegraph, Tivyside Advertiser, South Wales Guardian, Barry & District News and Penarth Times.
* Understand differing audience needs across urban Newport, the Valleys, West Wales, coastal towns and rural communities.
* Use tools to understand why stories matter to local audiences.
* Produce high‑quality digital‑first stories that meet audience expectations across multiple titles.
* Deliver strong page‑view performance and meet agreed digital KPIs.
* Early and late shifts to maintain Wales‑wide breaking‑news coverage between 7am and 9pm.
* Weekend working approx 1 in 4.
* Use analytics to inform decisions on headlines, angles, timing and follow‑ups.
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
* Thrives under pressure and is comfortable multitasking.
* Able to switch priorities and adapt to breaking news.
* Self‑starter with confidence to make decisions and spot high‑performing stories.
* Digitally confident and enthusiastic about using AI responsibly.
* Willing to learn new tools and approaches.
* Strong understanding of what makes a good story for varied South Wales audiences.
* Able to spot lines, verify fast and pursue follow‑ups.
* Able to shoot photos and quick video.
* Comfortable broadcasting live and filing remotely.
* Full driving licence and access to a car (essential for rapid deployment).
* NCTJ (or working towards) preferred but not essential.
* Suitable for a senior reporter or trainee; attitude and attributes most important.
* Resilient, organised, and great with people.
Benefits
* 25 days holiday + bank holidays + your birthday off
* Holiday buy scheme for extra flexibility
* Structured career progression & ongoing training
* Pension plan & mental health support
* Perks & discounts including:
o Gym membership
o Cycle to Work scheme
o Eye care vouchers (£50 towards glasses)
o Retail discounts
* Team building days & annual volunteer charity day