Journalist Career Description
Journalists gather information on a specific subject, event, occurrence or person and then write this information as a report for the press, radio and television, the public relations division of a company or other institutions, as well as related news media.
What am I going to do in this occupation?
While journalists are still junior reporters, they are usually assigned to write on more general news events like court and crime reporting, school and municipal news. As journalists' writing abilities develop, other important matters are covered, for example sport, financial news, art, culture and politics. Experienced newspaper and broadcast journalists also get the opportunity to report on international news from abroad and may become foreign correspondents for their specific media institutions. South African foreign correspondents employed by news media institutions are usually based in important cities like London, Washington, Amsterdam, Canberra, Tokyo and other international venues.
Journalists usually specialize in either print journalism or broadcast journalism. Print journalists can work for a wide variety of newspapers, magazines, journals and technical publications, while broadcast journalists are usually assigned to report for radio and/or television.
Regional and country newspaper journalists often have to report on a wide variety of subjects and journalists working for regional newspapers have to be very versatile, often combining writing and photographic skills to report on news events varying from politics to crime, sport, school events, art and culture. Magazines employ fewer full-time journalists mainly because they make use of experienced writers or freelance reporters.
Specialized reporting for trade and technical publications is a fast growing and important facet of print journalism, as well as so-called "hobby" magazines which provide careers for journalists who have the necessary knowledge and interest in special fields. These journalists provide the latest information on developments in special fields for specialized publications concentrating on, for example, music, theatre, agriculture, business, engineering, different sports, etc.
Freelance journalists work on their own, often without a regular income. These journalists write on a wide variety of topics for various publications and radio and television stations and often find markets for their material by researching topics and visiting places of conflict, which are not regularly assigned by the conventional news media.
Another facet of journalism is the work of the press photographer who fulfils a very important task in reporting on news events.
Requirements
What kind of personality do I need? Journalists should posses the following characteristics: writing ability, general knowledge, curiosity, imagination, persistence, accuracy, intelligence and the ability to analyze. They should also be able to produce work with limited supervision, work together as a group and be able to handle criticism. They must have the ability to work under pressure.
Journalists should be prepared to work hard and long hours since news does not adhere to any hour or programme.
Where can I work?
Some of the news media agencies and magazines that employ journalists employ full-time journalists as news collectors and script-writers for radio and television.
Can I work for myself in this occupation?
Journalists may prefer to work on a free-lance basis for more than one newspaper/magazine as well as the broadcast industry. Enthusiastic journalists may even start their own newspaper/magazine and employ other journalists.
|
