What Are the Main Types of Journalists?

It takes a lot of skills to become a journalist. You need to be good at writing, interviewing, and fact-checking, but you may also need technical skills. Journalism is an ever-growing field that employs a wide range of specialisations that enable journalists to work with subjects or media types they are most interested in. Below are the main types of journalists:

• Print Journalist: Works for newspapers, magazines or other printed publications. Research, write and edit articles on various topics, from news and politics to entertainment and lifestyle.
• Broadcast Journalist: This is a journalist working in TV or radio. They report on news stories, interview people, and host live broadcasts. This could be a news anchor, correspondent, or producer.
• Digital Journalist: As news goes online, digital journalists will create more content for the web, blogs, and social media sites, including articles, videos, podcasts, or live streams.
• Investigative journalist: Conducts long-form investigations to uncover information that might be obscured by obfuscation, influence or inertia, typically associated with political corruption, corporate malfeasance or societal issues, and can involve months or more of research.
• The sports journalist: The sports journalist covers sporting events, teams, and athletes, either by commenting on them or by producing content related to sports.
• Photojournalist: Photojournalists tell stories with pictures. They work independently or for news agencies, taking pictures that complement written stories or stand alone to tell the news.
• Business/financial journalist: These journalists cover financial markets, economic trends, and business news such as company earnings, mergers, the stock market, and economic policies.
• Freelancer: This person works independently, selling stories or content to publications that buy the material. The freelancer can practise in any field he or she chooses and decide what to cover and for whom.
• A travel journalist:  A travel journalist is a person who travels to various places and writes about the culture, landmarks, and experiences of the area. Their writings can be articles, features, or suggestions on travelling to the area.

What Does a Journalist Do?

Journalists’ work involves gathering, assessing, producing, and disseminating news and information. They report the day’s news stories and compose feature stories about various topics. Journalists are vital to the information society as they inform the public about the latest developments. Here is a summary of their most important responsibilities.

• Research and report: Journalists spend much time researching a story and finding the facts. This may involve interviewing people, reading documents, attending press briefings or doing field research.
• Write and Report Stories: Journalists write engaging news articles, features or reports based on their findings, ensuring that their work is accurate, informative and well-written, without bias or subjectivity.
• Conduct interviews: Whatever the subject, journalists do interviews to get firsthand information from sources, which can be anyone from experts to eyewitnesses, government officials or people affected by the news.
• Fact-Check and Source-Check: Reliable information is the foundation of journalism, so journalists check facts, verify evidence, and scrutinise sources to check their credibility before reporting.
• Tailor News to Medium: Depending on the medium, journalists may have to change their content – for example, a print journalist may write in long-form, while a digital journalist may write short, multimedia-heavy pieces for social media.
• Work under Deadline Pressure: News is time-sensitive, meaning that the work of journalists is often conducted under pressure to meet deadlines. This includes balancing thorough research with the desire to publish or broadcast news promptly.
• News judgement: Journalists must be able to judge which stories are most important and worth covering. They have to decide which aspects of a story are most significant and have a news hook – the unique angle to make it newsworthy. 
• Writing: Journalists must be able to write their stories clearly, concisely and grammatically correct. Typically, they have an editor who edits their work for clarity, grammar and style.
• Follows the Ethical Guidelines: Journalists follow the Ethical Guidelines and set standards for presenting factual and fair reports. They respect confidentiality and do not have any conflicts of interest.

Average Journalist Salary

It is difficult to give an average salary for a journalist in the UK as salaries vary depending on experience, working place, and type of journalism. Salary can also differ depending on whether the journalist works for a large or freelance media organisation. The following is a general overview of salaries for journalists:

• Entry-Level Journalist: Entry-level journalists earn between £18,000 and £24,000 annually.
• Experienced Journalist: Journalists with several years of experience earn salaries ranging from £25,000 to £40,000, depending on their specialisation and the organisation they work for.
• Senior journalist/editor: £40,000-£70,000+ (the higher wages for the more senior journalist/editors employed by major national newspapers, television stations, and media outlets).

Journalist Skills

Here is what you need to become a good journalist:

• Writing and Editing: Journalists need to be good writers. They must produce clear, compelling copy that is also accurate and well-researched. They should also know how to edit their work or that of others.
• Research/Analytical Skills: Good research skills are essential to finding stories, supporting assertions, and finding sources. Journalists must be able to sort through complex information and present it.
• Interviewing Skills: Journalists must be good communicators, asking the right questions to elicit valuable information from interviewees. They should be skilled at conducting interviews in person, over the phone or online.
• Digital and Social Media Skills: Journalists need to be able to navigate the digital and social media landscape. This means producing multimedia content, using content management systems, and engaging with audiences online.
• Critical Thinking and Objectivity: Journalists must think about what they are doing. They should ensure that what they are reporting is as accurate as possible and not slanted by the reporter’s prejudices. They must be objective, even when covering matters that people find controversial.
• Time Management: Journalism is deadline-driven. Journalists must manage their time wisely to meet deadlines and juggle multiple stories simultaneously. Sometimes, journalists must start working on stories at a moment’s notice.
• Adaptability: Work in media is fast-paced and ever-changing. Journalists must continuously learn to take advantage of new technologies, platforms and storytelling approaches, and they are expected to be able to cover current affairs.

Journalist Tips

Here are some practical tips for aspiring journalists:

• Get Real Experience: Internships, volunteer positions, and freelance work can be great opportunities for gaining real experience. Maybe you can work for a student newspaper or a local radio station or start your blog online.
• Your Portfolio Rocks: Any such application should accompany a portfolio of stories published in newspapers or magazines, reports published online or in the form of a booklet, or multimedia content. Maintain a portfolio of your best work and continuously update it to demonstrate your versatility and storytelling skills.
• Network with Industry Insiders: Journalism is a relational profession. Try to get to industry events. Get to know editors and other reporters. Join professional organisations. It’ll help you build your network and find work.
• Be Curious and on top of Current Events: A good journalist is curious and on top of current events. Read widely, follow the news closely, and keep up with industry trends to stay current and offer insightful reporting.
• Learn Multimedia Skills: As digital journalism has become more important, learning multimedia skills, such as producing videos, doing podcasts or taking other photojournalism skills, can help you stand out.

Journalist Requirements

You usually need an education, some hands-on experience, and a good sense of writing and communication. However, formal education is usually not required. Many journalists have a degree in journalism or something like it. Here are the typical requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Most journalists have a journalism, communications, English, or media studies degree. While a formal education in journalism is not required, classes and a degree can provide the skills and knowledge necessary for success and real-world experience via internships.
• Practical Experience: Get experience through internships, freelance work, or student publications. Many employers value experience over formal education.
• Portfolio of Work: If you want to get a journalism job, you have to show people that you can write good stories, take great pictures, or shoot and edit videos. Your portfolio is the place to do that. Bring articles, reports, or multimedia projects showcasing your skills and versatility.

How to Become a Journalist

Here’s a step-by-step guide to becoming a journalist in the UK:

• Earn a Journalism Degree or a Related Degree: Start by earning a degree in Journalism, English, Communications, or a related degree. Many universities offer courses in journalism that can provide a foundation in writing, media ethics, and research methods.
• Internships: Get an internship with a newspaper, magazine, radio station or online publication. Learn doing is the best way to learn, and having samples is vital to establishing a portfolio.
• Build a Portfolio: Gradually build up your portfolio of work. Put together the best of your articles, reports, interviews or multimedia work that you can find. Show this to prospective employers to demonstrate your skills.
• Network and make contacts: Attend industry events, join the NUJ (the UK’s main journalism union) or other professional groups, and make contacts with those already in the trade. Networking can lead to jobs and valuable mentorship.
• Keep your ear to the ground and be flexible: Journalism is an ever-evolving field, so keep up with new forms of storytelling and the latest trends in the industry and be comfortable with new media platforms. You can make yourself stand out from the crowd of journalism job applicants by learning digital tools, social media management platforms such as HootSuite, and multimedia skills.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why Should You Become a Journalist?

As a journalist, you get to inform people, break stories and enact social change. Suppose you love storytelling, research, and writing and are curious about the world. In that case, you are a prime candidate for a career in journalism. Journalism is an avenue for a highly fulfilling career in which you can make a tangible difference. The field can allow you to give voice to a topic or story, hold people in power accountable, and educate the public on world events.

Is Being a Journalist a Good Career Choice for You?

Are you a good writer and communicator, like research, and a fan of deadlines? Then journalism might be a great career for you. Journalists are naturally curious, dogged, and dedicated to telling important stories. Journalism can be a dynamic and fulfilling career if you are driven to inform, agitate, and engage with people.

Journalist Salaries

Journalists in the UK can expect to be paid anywhere between £18,000 and £70,000+, depending on whether they are starting, their level of experience, the area in which they work, and the kind of journalism they do. Junior journalists can expect to be paid anywhere between £18,000 and £24,000; more experienced journalists or those working for larger media organisations can expect to be paid a salary of between £25,000 and £40,000. Senior journalists and editors at national or global outlets can be paid £40,000 to £70,000+.

Which Qualifications Can Help with a Career as a Journalist?

Journalism, Communications, English, or Media Studies degrees are traditional gateways to journalism, as are more vocational qualifications such as the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) diploma or certification. Multimedia skills—video editing and podcast production—are becoming more important in digital journalism.

Do I Need Experience to Get Started as a Journalist?

Yes, experience is important in journalism. Many journalists gain it from internships, freelancing, or working for student publications. Employers want to hire people who have proven they can write and report stories independently—in the real world.

Journalist Career Outlook

Meanwhile, the journalistic profession remains relatively stable, at least in digital media, which continues to expand as the old print world dies. In the meantime, as people move to online publications, podcasts, and other digital media, the new platforms demand new kinds of journalists—those who can use the new tools and are willing to change to fit the new media ecology.

Journalist Hierarchy and Progressing Within the Role

A journalist can move up from a junior position, such as a Junior Reporter or Staff Writer, to a senior position, such as an Editor, Producer or Senior Correspondent. As they gain experience, journalists may also specialise in a particular area, such as politics, business or investigative journalism. Those with the most experience become News Directors or Editors-in-Chief, overseeing an entire newsroom or media organisation.

Journalist Exit Options and Opportunities

Some with journalism experience move on to jobs in communications, public relations, content marketing or corporate writing. Others engage in freelance journalism, working for several publications. Journalists may also become TV reporters or documentary filmmakers or enter the profession of teaching journalism at the university level.