Journalist

Journalists research, gather and produce news items for newspapers, magazines, radio, TV and online media. They aim to present stories in a clear and engaging way. The distinctions between different branches of journalism are now less clear. Journalists working on newspapers often now need broadcast and web skills.

Most journalists start out as general news reporters. Their daily tasks might include:

• attending press conferences, court sessions, council meetings and other scheduled public events to gather information
• interviewing people in person or by telephone
• writing news stories from notes taken or putting together a package of recorded material, often to tight deadlines
• adapting material for use in other formats, such as for websites or mobile phones.

In addition to the pressure of working to deadlines and getting stories out ahead of the competition, getting the required information from people can be challenging.

Journalists generally work 39 hours a week, but in practice long and unpredictable hours are common and may include shifts to cover nights and weekends. Journalists have to travel to cover news items and may sometimes work outdoors.

Salaries start from around £10,000 for trainee news reporters, rising to £80,000 or more for top journalists in national news operations.

Journalists need to be:

• inquisitive
• excellent writers
• persuasive, with the ability to draw information from people
• cool under pressure
• persistent with stamina and a thick skin
• creative, to find a different angle to a story
• interested in current affairs.

There are opportunities across the UK, but competition for posts is keen. Contributing to school or university magazines or relevant work experience is very useful. Journalists are employed by newspapers, news agencies, magazines, TV and radio, online news operations and internet service providers (ISPs).

Many journalists start on local newspapers. Most study a degree and/or a vocational pre-entry training course in journalism, such as those accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ), before starting work.

Training is carried out on the job under the supervision of experienced journalists with possible attendance on courses to learn new skills and adapt to changing technologies.

Journalists are expected to write content across a range of media platforms and can move more easily between print and broadcast media. Many move into freelance work, usually as feature writers. Some become correspondents or news presenters or move into the management side, possibly with eventual progression to editor.

Further details