Career in Journalism

Nature of Work

A journalist may hold a field job as a reporter or correspondent. Desk job for a journalist is as a sub-editor or departmental/section editor.

Reporters are sent on assignments or nose out their own stories by following up leads or receiving tip-offs from contacts. They find, research and write news articles and features for news magazines, special interest periodicals, radio and television. A reporter covers events, and turns in a story about events and people. The ‘angle’ of the story depends on what the editor requires; the type of story varies from verbatim report of an official meeting to an account of a sports event or an account of a murder case.

The sub-editor has a desk job. Sub-editors take in the ‘stories’ turned in by the reporters or correspondents and cut down or rewrite them without sacrificing clarity or important points. They check for accuracy of facts relating to dates, names, spellings, etc., and write headlines.

Feature writers suggest subjects for research and produce longer than average articles dealing with topics not necessarily of current news value but of general interest, such as an interview with a public figure or an article on consumer rights, motoring and so on.

Columnists write about subjects from their own point of view.

The editor of a publication is responsible for its policy, content, appointment and organization of the staff.

Work Environment

Reporters have irregular hours of work and must be used to working among crowds under all conditions of weather and, sometimes, under dangerous circumstances (e.g.war, riots). They may have to travel frequently sometimes in comfort but often journeys are uncomfortable and exhausting. There is enormous pressure to meet deadlines. Working hours vary and reporters on morning papers usually work from late afternoon to midnight.

Desk jobs are more regulated though the pressure of deadlines remains. They are all working in a sophisticated computer networked environment, feature writers and columnists may have to travel.

Specialisations

Reporters may specialize in certain areas – sports, political, cultural, or financial

Affairs and so on – and then follow up only such events and write about them.

Sub-editors may specialize, for example, dealing only with the youth/sports page

Production.

Feature writers produce ideas for, and write articles about, a variety of subjects of general interest. They may also specialize in particular subjects. They collect information and opinions about current topics and may also do interviews with well-known personalities. Feature writers often have to do a good deal of research for their articles.

A columnist usually has had years of experience of feature writing. He/She writes more or less about what interests him/her.

With relevant experience in a particular field, an editor may take over charge of a particular section such as film, home, or sports. Section editors do partly administrative work and also write.

The editor-in-chief holds the most responsible job, having the final say on what does go or does not in the paper. The editor-in-chief decides on staff, allocates responsibility and does mainly administrative work with a little writing. In case of libel he/she is answerable.

Physical and Psychological Requirements

The different types of jobs demand different talents and temperaments, but all journalists should have a feeling for words and the ability to express themselves lucidly and concisely. Journalists should show curiosity; reswourcefulness; an unbiased approach; have wide-ranging interests; a pleasant easy manner which enables shy, inarticulate people to talk easily; powers of observation; tenacity to get to the bottom of things; an inquiring mind; punctuality; willingness to work extremely hard; ability to sift the relevant from the irrelevant; abilityi to absorb atmosphere and sum up people and situations quickly – an intuition to perceive what is not directly revealed.

For radio and TV journalists fluency is important both in the spoken and written language. Good word-processing skills, and computer graphics and desktop publishing skills are useful. A knowledge of news photography is valuable for those who wish to become reporters or correspondents since they can double up as reporter/photographer or reporter/camera operator.

Accurancy and impartiality are vital for reporters not only to serve the public but because untrue or libelous statements can lead to costly law suits. A ‘nose for news’, persistence, initiative, poise, resourcefulness, good memory, and physical ability are important. At the same time emotional stability and maturity is required to meet the pressure of deadlines, dangerous assignments and irregular hours.

For careers in new media such as on-line magazines or newspapers you require a merging of traditional and new journalism skills. To create a story for multimedia presentation, you need to know how to use computer software to combine on-line story text with graphics, audio and video elements and even 3-D animation.

Study/Training

Courses offered in Journalism are either 1-year PG Diploma in Journalism or 2-year Master’s degree in Journalism / Communication/Mass Communication / Communication Studies. Eligibility for admission is graduation in any stream. The admission procedure consists of a written test followed by an interview. The written test assesses general awareness including current affairs and the candidates ‘ ability to express him/her self on personal and social issues.

The test is usually a mix of questions requiring objective and subjective answers. Unless otherwise specified, admission notifications of the courses in Journalism are available locally between April-June.

An emerging trend is the introduction of a Bachelor’s degree programme in Journalism/Mass Media for which admission takes place after Plus Two/equivalent. Admission is through a written test/interview. Important for selection are general awareness including current affairs and the ability to express oneself on personal and social issues.

Training in journalism or in mass communication is available in many universities in the country and also at many institutes specializing in media studies. Most of the courses in journalism are open to graduates. Many universities today offer undergraduate degree in journalism or media studies. Such courses need to be followed up by a postgraduate degree or diploma course to get the best openings.

Journalism courses teach history of journalism, introductory mass media – concepts and process of communication, basic reporting and copy editing, press law and ethics, lay-out, design and production, electronic journalism, advertising, public relations and newspaper management.

Institutions that specialize in courses for Radio and Television Journalism or Electronic Media lay stress on visual communication, radio news, current affairs programmes on TV and radio.

Personal qualities are sometimes more important than mere training for becoming a good journalist. Specialists in any subject – science, economics, social work, fashion and so on – can enter the field of journalism.

Employment Prospects

Journalism is a highly competitive profession and only the proficient and tough can play a successful innings.

Mode of entry is also possible through freelance contributions. Major newspapers/magazines sometimes advertise for trainee journalists who are inducted through written entrance test and interview. The written test assesses the overall general awareness of the candidate and his/her power of expression. The interview attempts to assess the personality for potential as a journalist. Trainee journalists can climb up in the hierarchy by dint of hard work, application, experience and exposure.

Whatever be the route for entry into journalism, the prospects are good provided one has the personal attributes for the profession and control of language and subject so that what he/she writes is accurate, readable and topical too.

Freelance journalists can earn high emoluments if they are prolific and have a wide readership.

There is always a movement of journalists between the different types and sizes of publications, so openings keep coming up but the competition is keen always. It is important to start working in a formal set-up to get the hang of how things happen in reality. Traineeships are usually available for graduates and postgraduates with or without training in journalism though exposure to computers is important. The scope for journalism extends through the various languages in which newspapers, magazines, etc. are published and one could train for journalism in the vernacular too.

Career Progression

For those with talent, perseverance and vision, a rise up the hierarchy can happen fast as ability speaks for itself. The media industry being quite young and very intense, there is a high rate of burn-out too among the talented and go-getters. Turnover is relatively high in this occupation as some may choose to opt out of the stressful and hectic life and transfer their skills to other occupations where there skills are valuable – advertising and public relations for example.

On-line media is throwing up openings for experienced journalists. Economic ups and downs may easily affect growth in newspaper and broadcasting industries.

Quality of experience is the biggest asset for those looking for advancement. Hence, one could plan one’s assignments keeping in mind specific goals to be attained.