Correspondents are responsible for gathering news stories for newspapers, television stations, and radio stations. They may provide this information through video, vocal recordings, or written articles. Correspondents travel all over the world and communicate what they see to news companies. They work on the frontlines of news stories, no matter how dangerous they may be.

Correspondents may investigative and follow a story for weeks or even months on end. This often happens with high-profile murder trials. Correspondents stay in the area that the trial is taking place in and report daily news and other related stories. They may also record or write breaking news segments as events unfold with the story. A correspondent must be available at all times to catch the next big story.

Correspondents often work on little sleep. They may be called in the middle of the night to report on news. Frequently, correspondents do not know what city, town, or country they will be in next. Travel is constant and they may be away from home for extended lengths of time.

Often, news correspondents work in teams with some working as reporters, editors, and photographers. Team correspondents may spend weeks in a particular location. In times of war, correspondents can spend months and even years in one location, reporting on the news and events as they happen in the area.

Many correspondents are required to transmit live broadcasts when a news scene is happening. This could include a weather event, a trial, or crime scene footage. Wherever news is occurring in the world, a correspondent is often sent to the front lines to report back what is taking place.

Unlike a news reporter who only speaks on the facts of the news, a correspondent often lends their own opinions to the piece. Though they provide factual information, they may also color the news piece with some of their own thoughts on what is taking place.