Reportero vs. periodista
The Spanish words reportero and periodista both refer to individuals involved in the collection and dissemination of information. Though often used interchangeably, there are subtle differences between these terms.
Reportero
B1This term is a more specific one and typically refers to a journalist who specializes in reporting. A reportero often directly collects information, usually firsthand, and reports or presents it.
El reportero esta cubriendo de cerca los acontecimientos actuales.
(The reporter is closely covering current events.)
Este trabajo requiere que el reportero viaje frecuentemente.
(This job requires the reporter to travel frequently.)
Periodista
A2Periodista, is a broader term, loosely equivalent to the English word journalist. It refers to an individual who writes for newspapers or magazines or prepares news or features for broadcast media.
La periodista escribió una columna sobre el problema de la discriminación racial.
(The journalist wrote a column about the racial discrimination issue.)
Ella es periodista en un canal de noticias local.
(She is a journalist on a local news channel.)
Summary
Reportero and periodista, while similar, have differences in specificity. A reportero, typically a field correspondent who directly collects and reports news, falls under the larger umbrella of periodista, which refers generically to anyone involved in producing journalism in any form.