Broadcast Journalist
What is the work like?
Broadcast journalists research and present news stories and factual programmes for television, radio and the internet.
As a journalist on national TV, radio or internet news services, you would report on UK and international stories. You might specialise in a particular type of news, such as political or sports reporting. In regional TV and radio you would focus on local news.
Your work could include:- following story 'leads', or generating story ideas
- researching stories, using sources like the internet, archives and databases
- visiting locations and deciding on the best way of presenting a story
- writing scripts or website content
- preparing interview questions and conducting live and pre-recorded interviews
- presenting in TV or radio studios or on location, and recording voiceovers for recorded material
- asking questions at briefings and press conferences
- directing a small camera/sound crew, or possibly operating recording equipment yourself
- editing stories to fit exact timings
- deciding on the best running order for bulletins
- making any necessary changes to bulletins as new stories break.
In small commercial radio stations, you could run a newsroom single-handed, although in most jobs you would be part of a production team including other journalists, researchers, editors, broadcast assistants and producers.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You could become a broadcast journalist in one of three main ways:
- by taking a degree or postgraduate course in broadcast journalism before you look for work (known as the ‘pre-entry’ route)
- being recruited into a new entrant training scheme with a TV or radio broadcaster (known as ‘direct entry’)
- starting as a newspaper journalist and then moving into radio or television.
See the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) website for a list of accredited degrees and postgraduate courses in broadcast journalism. You should check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.
You may need to be a graduate to get onto a training scheme, and subjects like journalism, media studies, politics or social sciences may give you an advantage. However, a degree is not always essential as broadcasters may be more interested in your potential and commitment to working in the media. Some schemes are only open to people from groups that have traditionally been under-represented in the media, so you should check entry requirements carefully. Competition for places is always very strong.
The best way of showing employers your commitment and potential is to get as much work experience as you can. This will help you to develop an understanding of the production process and to build a network of contacts in the industry. You can get work experience through:
- community, hospital or student radio or TV – see the Community Media Association website for a list of local stations, and the Hospital Broadcasting Association site for a list of hospital stations
- finding work experience placements, through the BBC Work Experience Scheme, the RadioCentre (for commercial radio), or by contacting broadcasters ‘cold’ to ask for opportunities.
You should also make a brief 'showreel' CD or DVD with examples of your work, to demonstrate your skills to employers when you apply for work.
You would often start in local radio and move into regional television as your career progresses.
What further training and development can I do?
You will develop your skills on the job, often starting in the newsroom as a broadcast or production assistant before becoming a reporter. You may receive some formal training in technical skills like using particular recording and digital editing equipment.
In the BBC, you would receive extensive training when you first start your job and have access to a wide range of short courses in technical and production skills throughout your career.
See Skillset's website for details of relevant short courses for broadcast journalists, including interview techniques, technical courses and hostile environment training.
The National Union of Journalists (NUJ) also offers a range of short courses including online journalism, and TV and radio presenting skills for journalists.
If you are going into online journalism you may need training in computer and web design applications such as HTML, Dreamweaver, Java, Javascript or ASP. Your employer may provide in-house training, or you could take short courses with colleges or private training providers.
See the Radio Academy website for details of conferences and seminars aimed at professional development for people in the radio industry.
Where can I go for more information?
373-377 Clapham RoadLondon
SW9 9BT
Rippingale
near Bourne
Lincolnshire
PE10 0TH
Tel: 01778 440025
308-312 Gray's Inn Road
London
WC1X 8DP
Tel: 020 7278 7916
London
W1W 8AE
Tel: 020 7927 9920
London
W1D 5DU
Tel: 020 7306 2603
Station Road
Saffron Walden
Essex
CB11 3PL
Tel: 01799 544014
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
Tel: 0808 100 8094 (Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
If you would like to discuss your career options with a learning adviser, call 0800 100 900 or use our online enquiry form
Alternatively, you can visit our website at: www.direct.gov.uk/careersadvice
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What salary and other benefits can I expect?
- Trainee starting salaries are usually around £15,000 to £18,000 a year.
- Experienced broadcast journalists usually earn between £25,000 and £40,000 a year.
- Top salaries in TV can be £100,000 a year or more.
Freelance rates can vary widely and can depend on your experience and track record. Salaries are usually higher in television than in radio.
Figures are intended as a guideline only.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You would often work long hours and shift patterns that may include early mornings, nights, weekends and public holidays. You should be flexible and may need to work overtime to meet deadlines or cover a breaking story.
You could be based at an office, a studio or at home if you work freelance, but you would spend a lot of your time out covering stories. Outside broadcasts can take place in all weather conditions, and in situations which could be dangerous. The work can involve local, national or international travel, often at very short notice.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent communication and ‘people’ skills
- good listening and questioning skills
- empathy and tact
- good writing and research skills
- confidence and a clear speaking voice
- persistence and motivation
- calmness under pressure and the ability to meet tight deadlines
- a creative approach with the ability to ‘think on your feet’ when necessary
- an understanding of what makes a good news story
- a high degree of accuracy and attention to detail
- the ability to work on your own initiative and also as part of a team.
What opportunities are there?
You could work for local, national and satellite networks, international news agencies or internet news services. You will often work freelance on fixed-term contracts. Competition for jobs is strong.
Some jobs are advertised in the national press, trade press, industry recruitment websites and employers' own websites. However, it is common to get work by contacting companies yourself, and by word of mouth through contacts.
With experience, you could become a studio-based presenter or a special news correspondent. You could also choose to move into programme making and producing, or into management.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and making contacts (links open new window):
Broadcast Freelancer
BBC Recruitment
ITV Jobs
BJTC Jobs
Radio Magazine
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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