This is far from a complete list, but check out these sites for good advice on getting a job, doing the job, and learning the business. If you have a favorite site you’d like to see on this list, please get in touch!



Radio and Television News Directors Association
Your future boss is a member. So are many of your future reporter and producer colleagues. Membership gives you access to RTNDA’s master directory, a critical job-hunting tool. The website has plenty of free resources too, including a decent job bank. Check out their magazine, Communicator, one of the few publications with a regular column devoted to Newswriting.

The Poynter Institute
The conscience of the industry. People serious about hard news come here to learn how to do their jobs better. Keep an eye on Al Tompkins’ regular columns.

Newslab
Founded by longtime CBS News Correspondent Deborah Potter, this is another useful site for industry news and issues discussion.

TVSPY.com
Until his recent passing, Don Fitzpatrick ran an agency that represented on-air talent, and his website had evolved into an all-purpose location for learning about the business, sharpening your skills and scanning available jobs. Be sure to read the daily Shoptalk newsletter, now edited by veteran news executive Tom Petner.

Broadcasting & Cable Magazine
The granddaddy of them all. The first place people look for news of the industry. Also a good place for posting your own classified ad. The magazine is part of the Variety empire, so their jobs section covers news as well as entertainment.

National Association of Broadcasters
The trade association of the TV and Radio industry. They do the enormous broadcasters convention in Las Vegas every spring (RTNDA runs its own convention inside it). The emphasis is on technology but they also attract the biggest names in the business for their panels and seminars. Definitely go to the convention at least once, it’s prime networking territory. The website’s jobs section is worth a look as well.

TVJobs.com
Exactly what it says it is. Lots of resources. Some pricey seminars. Comprehensive station directory. I’m not convinced you can’t find the identical information at the other sites already mentioned. Still, when you’re out there searching, it pays to cast a wide net.

Refdesk
The uber-site for news, information and reference material. Everything’s here. In huge helpings. Gray’s Anatomy (How many vertebrae in the human spine?) Kelley Blue Book (What was that SUV worth before the gangbangers took it to the chop shop?) Even a language dictionary (What DOES “jihad” mean, anyway?) Plus access to more media outlets than you’ll ever need.

Maps
Pick a state. Pick a country. Instantly you can see how far Mosul is from Ramadi, or find out the population, and the name of every city in Louisiana. This is the easiest-to use, and most comprehensive map site out there.

CIA Factbook
A spy’s-eye view of every global hotspot, and one of those essential volumes your newsroom may or may not have lying around. Invaluable when you’re writing about students rioting in South Korea, and you have no idea why they’re so upset! Tons of facts, even the correct pronunciation for every major politician’s name! Remember, though, it is written neither by journalists nor for them. There is a pro-American tint, and historical details that may be of interest to non-Westerners, may not always be there.

Newslink
An instant connection to the websites of every TV station and newspaper, coast to coast. Great for researching a story out of your market. For international papers try newspaperindex.com

Timeanddate.com
Before you write, “It’s now dawn in Jerusalem,” go to this site and find out for sure.

Dictionary.com or Merriam-Webster.com
Before you use the word, make sure you’ve got it right.

The Ridiculous Business Jargon Dictionary
Think the Groaners are funny? Wait until you see this list of hilarious business clichés at The Office Life.com.