Counsel, NBCU News Group

Company Description

NBCUniversal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies. We create world-class content, which we distribute across our portfolio of film, television, and streaming, and bring to life through our theme parks and consumer experiences. We own and operate leading entertainment and news brands, including NBC, NBC News, MSNBC, CNBC, NBC Sports, Telemundo, NBC Local Stations, Bravo, USA Network, and Peacock, our premium ad-supported streaming service. We produce and distribute premier filmed entertainment and programming through Universal Filmed Entertainment Group and Universal Studio Group, and have world-renowned theme parks and attractions through Universal Destinations & Experiences. NBCUniversal is a subsidiary of Comcast Corporation.

Our impact is rooted in improving the communities where our employees, customers, and audiences live and work. We have a rich tradition of giving back and ensuring our employees have the opportunity to serve their communities. We champion an inclusive culture and strive to attract and develop a talented workforce to create and deliver a wide range of content reflecting our world.

Comcast NBCUniversal has announced its intent to create a new publicly traded company ('Versant') comprised of most of NBCUniversal's cable television networks, including USA Network, CNBC, MSNBC, Oxygen, E!, SYFY and Golf Channel along with complementary digital assets Fandango, Rotten Tomatoes, GolfNow, GolfPass, and SportsEngine. The well-capitalized company will have significant scale as a pure-play set of assets anchored by leading news, sports and entertainment content. The spin-off is expected to be completed during 2025.

Job Description

NBCUniversal News Group & News Legal

NBCUniversal News Group includes NBC News, Telemundo Network and NBC and Telemundo Local Stations. Across digital and television, the News Group reaches more Americans than any other news organization. 

• With bureaus around the world and across the United States, NBC News reaches its audience on broadcast television, digital, streaming, and audio platforms. Its leading and award-winning television news broadcasts include TODAY, NBC Nightly News, and Meet the Press. NBC News Now is the most successful free, ad-supported news streaming channel. NBC News also has several commerce businesses, including ShopTODAY.
• With 42 NBC and Telemundo television stations in local markets across the country, covering English and Spanish languages, NBCU Local reaches nearly 50% of all U.S. households. Our local stations produce news programming (watched by an estimated 17M monthly viewers) and popular lifestyle shows in each of their markets.
• Telemundo Network produces and distributes Spanish-language news, sports and entertainment content to audiences around the world, reaching 94% of the U.S. Hispanic audience. Among the news division’s award-winning television programs are Hoy Dia, Noticias Telemundo and Al Rojo Vivo.

The News Group legal team provides editorial, transactional and production legal support to all News Group businesses and newsrooms. The team is primarily located in Rockefeller Center in New York City.

Position Overview:

The Counsel will serve as a news content and media lawyer to the News Group, advising journalists on First Amendment, newsgathering, and other legal issues.

Responsibilities:

• Advise editorial leadership and journalists working across platforms including linear television, streaming, digital, social and audio, in support of daily news programming, breaking news, analysis, elections, investigative reports, documentaries, lifestyle, true crime, and unscripted programming
• Conduct pre-broadcast and pre-publication review
• Advise on newsgathering and access issues
• Counsel on copyright and other intellectual property matters
• Advise on, and respond to, pre- and post-publication threats and challenges
• Respond to subpoenas and other third-party requests for information
• Craft and deliver legal training for the newsroom
• Implement and counsel on News Group policies that protect our integrity, accuracy and independence
• Monitor legal developments affecting the press and freedom of speech
• Partner with specialist lawyers across NBCUniversal’s Legal Department, including on news-related litigation
• Contribute to an inclusive, collaborative, and creative team culture

Qualifications

Basic Requirements:

• 4+ years of legal experience, including experience advising news clients on media law and publication issues
• Passion for news and press freedom
• High level of integrity and professionalism
• Exceptional writing, analytical, and problem-solving sk