Journalism is history on the run. The role of a Broadcast Journalist is rooted in communication, finding stories, and bringing them to the public quickly in a coherent, accurate, impartial, and engaging way. Continue Reading
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Explore Career What are the typical responsibilities of a Broadcast Journalist?
A Broadcast Journalist would typically need to:
You may carry out interviews and reporting duties, in both recorded and live situations, in busy newsrooms, in a studio, or on location. On-air presenters are less likely to go out on location to cover stories. You are likely to be working as part of a team with technical and reporting colleagues, generating your own stories, and bringing on board new ideas. You report to a news editor or producer.
Travel to cover stories would necessitate a driving license. Their work may mean overnight stays away from home. Overseas work or travel is occasional but more common for specialist correspondents. You will not be treated as a professional if you do not dress professionally.
Ties are almost always expected for male Broadcast Journalists. In the pro world, many always dress up but keep a more casual set of clothes (and boots) in their car to change into if they’re sent to a location that calls for it (fire scene, wilderness area, etc.). Always avoid wearing anything with writing or any commercial logo wear (other than your station) out in the field.
Weekend work is often required, and most broadcasters do not take public holidays. Shift work is common in 24-hour news operations. It is starting early to cover regional news on breakfast radio and television shows or working mid-morning until late evening for afternoon and evening bulletins.
The job of Broadcast Journalists is quite hectic, complicated, and covers a wide scope since it is their responsibility to report on the latest local and international news stories. Broadcast Journalists are usually contracted to work for 39 hours a week. In practice, working hours may typically be flexible and unpredictable in response to breaking stories. Journalists are usually on-call. Working hours of on-air presenters may be more predictable.
Competition for jobs with network broadcasters is extremely tough. 24-hour news channels, niche programming, as well as ethnic broadcasting, offer increased opportunities. Newspapers need skilled Broadcast Journalists to develop their video and audio material online.
Vacancies are advertised in specialist publications. They may also appear in the national and local press and on the websites of the broadcasting organizations. A small number of recruitment agencies specialize in Journalism. Some presenters may use an agent. Candidates with previous experience from other networks are afforded prior consideration for vacancies.
Broadcast Journalists are generally employed by:
Professional associations and organizations are a crucial resource for Broadcast Journalists interested in pursuing professional development or connecting with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more looks excellent on your resume to bolster your credentials and qualifications.
Work experience, whether paid or unpaid, can be a useful way to develop the requisite skills. Regional and national news channels run small, sponsored news traineeship schemes. Competition for both traineeships and unpaid work placements at larger network stations is fierce.
As well as applying via recruitment departments, try contacting individual editors or producers directly at local stations. Local press, hospital radio, and community media are excellent training grounds, as is any involvement in student media (largely magazine, newspaper, or radio).
Applications, even for work experience, will be stronger if accompanied by demo tapes or cuttings, and student media is an ideal place to start building a portfolio. Make yourself known to as many people as possible, be flexible, and available at all times. Be proactive - volunteer to get involved wherever you can.
Broadcast Journalism is open to all graduates. However, a postgraduate degree in business, economics, finance, government, Journalism, politics may increase your chances, particularly if you wish to pursue a career as a special correspondent.
The industry is divided over the value of general media studies degrees, so it is worth investigating which courses have industry recognition/recommendation and the success rates of their alumni.
Television and radio networks give priority to those candidates who have completed a degree in mass communication or Broadcast Journalism.
Successful certification programs serve and protect the public welfare by investigating individuals that practice outside of the program’s Code of Ethics. They help a profession secure its future by earning trust and respect. Broadcast Journalism certificate programs provide basic training in the techniques and practices of the field. These programs provide a solid foundation for pursuing a bachelor's degree in Broadcast Journalism.
Broadcast Journalists who start in television will often begin as newsroom assistants or researchers before moving into a reporting role.
As you gain more experience, there is scope to specialize in different areas. You may choose to focus on pursuing a senior Broadcast Journalist role, responsible for managing news staff and budgets, or prefer to become a Studio-Based News Anchor or Presenter. There is the possibility of becoming a Correspondent, although these positions are highly coveted and rarely available.
Investigative journalism or documentary journalism can be suitable for career-development alternatives. Those who wish to move behind the scenes may become Program Editors, Sub-Editors, or Producers.
Radio differs slightly in that trainees are normally given greater responsibility earlier on. Depending on the station’s size, they may even find that they have sole responsibility for a newsroom from the outset.
Progression is typical to positions at larger commercial or network stations, or across into television.
Candidates with skills, experience, and education have the best job prospects.
On-the-job training consolidates the skills learned in pre-entry courses. Trainees may shadow an experienced Journalist, assisting in research, or arranging interviews. If you have completed an accredited course, you will be expected to have completed the necessary basic training.
For those who have not come via this route, gaining an understanding of media law and health and safety is normally considered an immediate training need. A substantial amount of training will be informal and 'on the job.’ It is usual for trainee Journalists to initially be assigned basic tasks such as working autocues and fetching tapes and gaining global insight into the whole process before they move into more specific and responsible roles.
As budgets are stretched, multi-skilling is becoming more necessary. Many Broadcast Journalists find that they are now responsible for recording and editing their footage. Acquiring knowledge and understanding of technical equipment and the related software is currently a key training need. Many employers will, therefore, require and support training in these areas.
The media is a fast-paced, evolving industry. Its professional bodies recognize the need to support Journalists in their continuing professional development (CPD) to stay ahead of the game.
Short courses include negotiating contracts, public relations, sub-editing, interviewing skills, and new technologies. Aside from the short courses and longer training schemes that most major networks give their Journalists, budding hacks can also undertake ethics and security training to guide them in their field reporting.
A Diverse, Exciting and Demanding Field
A Broadcast Journalist may spend some time putting together a package of recorded material for a bulletin or documentary. They may have to report live from the scene of a major incident as it unfolds. They may have to tailor material for different audiences - producing a short clip for a news bulletin and a longer piece for a current affairs show.
Broadcast Journalism involves a variety of media including television, radio, the internet, and wireless devices. The range of material spans the entire spectrum of current affairs - from international politics to local ‘human interest’ stories. The treatment of the story or topic is equally diverse.
They are expected to record podcasts or write bulletins and blogs for the organization’s website. Each Journalist is assigned with a specific “beat” that they have to focus on to generate news stories. The rolling deadlines of 24-hour news and the increasing use of online media, in tandem with traditional broadcasting, make for an exciting and often demanding environment.
Entry Routes into Broadcast Journalism
There are three main entry routes into Broadcast Journalism: direct entry into a traineeship, moving across from print Journalism (usually for those with several years of experience), and 'pre-entry' by completing an accredited degree or postgraduate qualification. Most entrants join a broadcast organization after completing a postgraduate pre-entry Journalism course. Most courses last for an academic year. Some colleges and independent training centers run ‘fast-track’ courses, lasting nine to 20 weeks.
Selection Criteria
There are no age restrictions for entry. Skills, experience, and qualifications are the main criteria for selection. Those who have excellent oral and written communication skills are favored, especially on television, where an ability to speak in front of a camera on live TV is imperative.
Look Professional!
As young people and students, you will have enough credibility problems with your sources and interview subjects; do not compound the issue by looking unprofessional. Do not wear shorts, sandals, tank tops, or similar attire. Nice looking jeans, T-shirts and shorts are always unacceptable for reporters, but okay for photographers, especially in the summer.
Self-Reliance
Radio Journalists often record and edit their material, using specialized equipment. For television, reporters are traditionally accompanied by a camera operator and sometimes sound and lighting technicians. Increasingly, however, they are expected to capture video material themselves.
Master Broadcast Journalists are brilliant writers who can say in a few words what the world needs to hear during times of crisis, tragedy, and triumph...who can tell each story in a compelling way - combining the facts with the most apt sounds or pictures.
Misperceiving that there is one correct choice is a common mistake. I became a Broadcast Journalist to come as close as possible to the heart of the world.
The BBC created the title “war correspondent” for its first foreign correspondent, Richard Dimbleby, at the outbreak of World War II.
What do Broadcast Journalists do?
A Broadcast Journalist would typically need to:
Accredited
