Broadcast Journalist

A broadcast journalist works in radio, television or online telecommunications (multiplatforming), researching and collecting stories and writing them up for reporting in news bulletins and other programmes. Broadcast journalists can fill a number of roles in the production of a programme including editor, reporter, presenter/news anchor, producer and correspondent.

The Work

You could be:

• following up leads from contacts and using the Internet and books to collect stories for news and interest features


• going to the location to gather more background detail


• attending press conferences and ranking news stories in order of importance


• writing stories and bulletins ready for presentation


• editing tapes and scripts using specialist software so that they fit exactly into a time-slot


• planning interviews with key people and interviewing live on air, perhaps asking challenging questions


• working to deadlines


• specialising in a particular field such as politics, sport, the arts, history, popular science or crime


• passing on write-ups of important Scottish news stories so that the London news team can present them.

Conditions

• You might be indoors or outdoors - outdoor work could be in all weathers and conditions.


• You would work irregular hours including evenings, weekends and public holidays; shift work is common.


• You sometimes travel locally or abroad, with overnights away from home.


• You might be in challenging locations (for example out in a small boat, at the North Pole).

Getting In

Getting a start in broadcasting is harder than ever. Sometimes you have to take any job in the field, just to ‘get a foot in the door’ and make contacts. The BBC and ITV are the largest employers, but many broadcast journalists start off in local radio. There are many local radio stations in Scotland. Some broadcasters have moved initially to get experience.

• There are no formal entry requirements, but most entrants have a degree or postgraduate qualification in journalism, broadcasting, radio, TV. multi-media or online journalism.


• Most common route is by a postgraduate journalism training course. Within Scotland there are postgraduate degree courses in journalism at Edinburgh Napier University, Strathclyde University, Robert Gordon University and Glasgow Caledonian University. The University of the West of Scotland also offers a Postgraduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism accredited by the BJTC. These courses can lead into a job on the personal recommendation of the course tutors.


• A few get in straight from university, usually after a BA degree course related to journalism.


• Many broadcasting journalists follow a route from local newspapers to local radio to national broadcasting.


• Employers expect you to have practical experience. Get it through student, hospital or local radio.


• It helps to make a show reel to send on spec - make sure that the first 10-15 seconds is your best work. You must follow up with a phone call.


• For newspaper experience contact local or national newspapers. You may have to do several unpaid work experience placements (internships) before earning your first wage.

What Does It Take?

You should be:

• curious


• tactful but persistent - you might have to interview people in distressing situations


• resourceful and assertive


• observant with good general knowledge


• honest and accurate


• articulate – with a good voice for broadcasting


• adaptable in writing style, able to read and summarise quickly


• able to work under pressure to tight deadlines


• good at working in a team


• safety-conscious.

Training

• The BBC and ITV, as well as some independent companies, run in-house on-the-job training schemes.


• The National Council for the Training of Broadcast Journalists and the BKSTS oversee training (see below).

Getting On

• Many journalists now work multi-media – in radio, television and online. Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB) has opened many new opportunities across radio and television.


• Most work freelance, on short term contracts. You may have to move to get your next job.
• Permanent contracts are rare.


• You usually start off working in the newsroom.


• If you get a long-term contract you can seek promotion to a senior post as sub-editor, news producer, programme editor or special correspondent.

Pay

The figures below are only a guide. Actual salaries may vary, depending on:

• where you work


• the size of company or organisation you work for


• the demand for the job.

More Information

The Journalism Diversity Fund was set up by a number of different organisations involved in journalism and is run by the NCTJ.

It aims to support the training of people from ethnic and other backgrounds who might otherwise not have the money to fund their training in journalism.

Bursaries may be awarded to individuals applying for NCTJ accredited courses (see Training). For more information visit the Journalism Diversity website.

Addresses

The following organisation(s) may be able to provide further information.