Commentators provide commentary on events, news, and specific subjects. They work in various settings, including broadcast media and print media. Commentators are commonly used in sporting events and politics. They must keep up with news and constantly provide new material. Becoming a commentator can be approached from different perspectives, including journalism and related fields.
A commentator is someone who provides commentary on events, current issues, news or a specific subject of interest. Commentators work around the world in a wide variety of settings. Many work in the broadcast media, providing radio or television commentary, and some may also contribute written commentary to the print media. Some commentators become very well known; Edward R. Murrow, for example, was a famous journalist and television commentator.
One area where commentators are commonly used is sporting events, where they may be known as sportscasters or color commentators, depending on the type of commentary they provide. On the radio, a sportscaster describes the action so people can follow along at home. On television, color commentators provide facts and information, commentary on the game and material they find interesting for viewers at home.
Commentators may also have regular columns, broadcast or print, in which they can speak on a variety of issues. Political commentators, sometimes known as pundits, are very common and tend to approach politics from a specific perspective. A conservative commentator, for example, discussed political developments from a conservative point of view. Commentators can also comment on global issues, the economy, social policy, and so on.
A commentator may also choose to analyze and discuss news, media arts and other topics of interest. Commentators who discuss the arts tend to be rarer. In all cases, a commentator often makes appearances in places where he or she does not normally appear, because commentators are recognized as authorities on the topics they cover. For example, a radio station might invite a well-known economic commentator to do a guest spot discussing a current economic issue.
Working as a commentator is hard work. These professionals must keep up with the constant development of news as they work on their columns and materials, which are often prepared in advance. Being a commentator can require travel and the need for constantly new material. When a commentator has been preparing something every day for years, it can start to be challenging to bring new material to viewers, listeners and readers.
Someone who wants to become a commentator can approach the career from several perspectives. Some start with training in journalism and related fields, while others may choose to train first in their area of interest and learn commenting skills later. Sometimes commenting is a second career; some athletes, for example, become sportscasters or color commentators after their sports careers are over.
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