NEW YORK–(BUSINESS WIRE)–
NBC Owned Television Stations today announced the launch of two new
development programs designed to attract aspiring young journalists from
diverse backgrounds to news roles both on and off the air. Last week,
the division kicked off its highly competitive News Associates program,
welcoming 10 recent college graduates to news rooms at its 10 stations
around the country, and introduced a new Reporter Training program,
encouraging talented individuals to consider careers as television
reporters.

?While our stations are among the best in the industry at reflecting the
diversity of the markets we serve, we can always do better. One way to
do that is to make sure we have a full pipeline of news talent ready for
both on and off the air positions,? said Valari Staab, President of the
NBC Owned Television Stations. ?We?re excited about developing and
investing in young journalists from diverse backgrounds who we hope will
one day be news room managers and great reporters at our stations across
the country.?

Modeled after the successful NBC News program, the year-long News
Associates curriculum is designed to attract recent college graduates
from diverse backgrounds to careers as producers, editors and writers.
The 10 participants, who were selected from thousands of applicants,
began their orientation last week. Throughout the year, the associates
will learn first-hand the different news room roles and
responsibilities, acquire editorial judgment, develop story-telling
skills and gain experience both in the field and studio shooting footage
and editing and writing stories. Each associate will be matched with a
senior-level mentor at his or her assigned station who will help guide
the associate throughout the year. At the end of the program, the
real-world experience the associate gains will help position him or her
for available entry-level news room jobs at the 10 NBC-owned stations.

In addition to the News Associates program, NBC Owned Television
Stations is also introducing a new Reporter Training program aimed at
developing talented young journalists from diverse backgrounds to become
great television reporters. The station group will be recruiting for
four positions ? one each at its Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington, D.C.,
Miami and San Diego stations ? to attract television or digital
journalists early in their careers or experienced print journalists
interested in transitioning to television as on-air reporters. The
program, which will start in January, will include a significant
investment in training and coaching to equip the selected participants
with the skills necessary to develop into successful television
reporters. At the end of the program, the selected participants are
expected to be prepared for reporter roles in NBC?s 10-station group,
including larger market stations like Los Angeles and New York.

Several organizations representing journalists from ethnically diverse
backgrounds applauded the development programs.

?We salute NBC for taking the initiative to train talented students from
diverse backgrounds in areas in which there is a significant lack of
diversity,? said Gregory Lee, Jr., President of the National Association
of Black Journalists. ?We hope that this is a long-term plan in
preparing these budding students to become executive producers, general
managers and lead anchors of the future.?

?NAHJ applauds NBC for its investment in young, diverse talent,? said
Michele Salcedo, President of the National Association of Hispanic
Journalists. ?While these programs will not change the immediate need
for?more Latinos on or off camera,?programs like?the Reporter Training
program and News Associate?program provide the training and
all-important mentoring to ensure?journalists of color advance in their
careers and give voice to communities that?are growing in?number, but
are rarely heard.?

?The Asian American Journalists Association is encouraged to see NBC
setting an example for other news media by emphasizing the importance of
promoting diverse hires who reflect our dynamic communities,? said Doris
Truong, President of the Asian American Journalists Association. ?And
our organization has active chapters in all the cities chosen for the
Reporter Training program, so I hope the participants will reach out to
our members locally for further mentoring and career support.?

Both of these programs will enable NBC?s 10 owned stations, where 40
percent of on-air talent and one-third of all news room staff are
ethnically diverse, to continue the momentum on increasing diversity in
all aspects of local news. More information on the News Associates
program is available at www.nbcunicareers.com
under Early Career Programs and the four Reporter Training program
positions will be posted at www.nbcunicareers.com
under NBC Owned Television Stations.

About NBC Owned Television Stations

NBC Owned Television Stations is the division of NBCUniversal that
includes 10 local television stations and their digital channels and
websites, as well as a group of out-of-home properties and a production
company. The 10 stations produce and deliver compelling and unique local
news, information and entertainment programming to viewers in the
communities they serve, which include New York, Los Angeles, Chicago,
Philadelphia, San Francisco Bay Area, Dallas-Fort Worth, Washington,
D.C., Miami, San Diego and Connecticut, with a goal of connecting to
their audiences anytime and anywhere.