What is a news anchor?

A news anchor is a broadcast journalist who presents news stories to an audience. They differ from newscasters, as anchors compile and write the stories that they present on air. The job requires years of experience in broadcast journalism and a commitment to quality; news anchors frequently become the public face of the network, as reported by PayScale.

The news anchor position is a pivotal role, considered to be the height of news reporting and the highlight of a journalism career. Reporters spend years building a collection of recorded work that shows their abilities that is used as a portfolio by producers and networks when vetting potential candidates.