Newspaper Journalist
What is the work like?
Newspaper journalists, also known as reporters, investigate and write up stories for local, regional and national newspapers. They cover any event of interest to their specific audience, ranging from reporting on council meetings and school fetes for a local paper, to general elections and world events for the national press.
As a newspaper journalist, your work would typically include:
- investigating a story as soon as it breaks
- following up potential leads
- developing new contacts
- interviewing people, both face-to-face and over the phone
- attending press conferences
- recording meetings and interviews using recording equipment or shorthand
- coming up with ideas for new stories and features
- writing up articles in a style that will appeal to the intended audience.
You could choose to specialise in a specific area such as sport, politics or entertainment. Because most newspapers have an online edition, you may also write stories for the web.
Newspaper journalists sometimes work as sub-editors, preparing reporters’ writing ('copy') for printing.
What qualifications and experience will employers look for?
You can become a newspaper journalist by first doing a course at college or university (known as pre-entry) or by joining a local or regional newspaper and learning on the job (known as direct entry).
For both types of entry you will be at an advantage if you have relevant experience. To build up your experience you can:
- volunteer for student and community newspapers
- submit articles to websites or keep an online journal or 'blog'
- work for local or student radio stations
- submit articles and reviews to local, free or specialist papers.
It is a good idea to keep cuttings and print outs of your published work to show to potential employers, especially if these include your name (known as a ‘byline’).
Training before starting work
This is the most common way to enter journalism. It involves completing a journalism course, then finding work as a trainee.
It is advisable to choose a course that is accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ). Some courses accept five GCSEs (including English) and two A levels, or similar qualifications, while others will expect you to have a degree. If you have a degree, you may be able to do an 18-20 week Fast Track course. See the NCTJ website for details of courses and training providers.
As part of any journalism course, you will take the NCTJ preliminary exams, which you need to pass before being taken on as a trainee.
You may be able do the NCTJ self-study programme, and enter yourself for the preliminary exams. To follow this route you would need to arrange work experience so that you can practise your skills. See the NCTJ website for details.
On-the-job training
To become a journalist by direct entry you need to apply to the editors of local and regional newspapers to be taken on as a trainee. You can find contact details on the Newspaper Society website.
You will need a minimum of five GCSEs (A-C), including English, or equivalent qualifications. However, it is increasingly rare for applicants to be accepted at this level. More than 60% of recruits have degrees, and most others have at least two A levels or the equivalent.
You can find advice and information on starting or developing your career in journalism on the NCTJ and the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) websites.
What further training and development can I do?
After completing a pre-entry journalism course you would apply for a job as a trainee reporter. You would normally be employed on an 18-month training contract. Your first three months would usually be probationary, after which you would start working towards the NCTJ National Certificate.
On the direct entry route you would usually have a two-year training contract. The first six months would be probationary. You would do a distance learning foundation course followed by the NCTJ preliminary exam. After this you can become fully qualified by completing the NCTJ National Certificate.
As a qualified journalist, you can develop your skills by attending short courses. These are offered by professional bodies including the National Union of Journalists (NUJ), NCTJ, the Periodicals Training Council (PTC) and the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC).
Where can I go for more information?
Tel: 08080 300 900 (England and Northern Ireland)Tel: 0808 100 8094 (Scotland)
Tel: 08000 121 815 (Wales)
21 Caledonian Road
London
N1 9GB
308-312 Gray's Inn Road
London
WC1X 8DP
Tel: 020 7278 7916
Station Road
Saffron Walden
Essex
CB11 3PL
Tel: 01799 544014
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?
- Trainees earn around £15,000 a year on local newspapers.
- Experienced journalists can earn from £15,000 a year to over £40,000.
- The highest paid journalists and national newspaper editors can earn up to £100,000.
Freelance journalists negotiate a set fee for each piece of work they do. Fees can be negotiated individually or from guidance provided by the NUJ.
Figures are only intended as a guide.
What are the hours and working conditions?
You will need to be flexible about your working hours. Following up stories, responding to breaking news and meeting deadlines can mean working long, irregular hours, including evenings, weekends and public holidays.
You will usually be based in an open-plan office, which is likely to be hectic and noisy most of the time. You will also spend time out of the office, chasing up stories. You can expect to travel to any area covered by the newspaper. If you work for the national or international press this could mean travelling anywhere in the world, sometimes at short notice.
What skills and knowledge will I need?
- excellent writing skills
- good listening and questioning skills
- an enquiring mind and a lively, inquisitive interest in people, places and events
- an interest in current affairs at all levels
- research skills
- self confidence and the ability to put people at ease
- the ability to absorb information quickly and write it up in a style which is easy to understand
- determination and persistence
- the ability to achieve shorthand speeds of 100 words per minute
- keyboard and IT skills.
What opportunities are there?
Competition for jobs is strong, especially on national newspapers. You would normally start as a junior reporter on a local or regional newspaper, covering routine local news and events.
With experience, you could become a chief reporter or a specialist writer (‘correspondent’), covering areas such as politics, business or the arts, or particular regions of the country. Another option would be to move to a national newspaper, where you would be likely to have more opportunities for progression.
You could also use your experience in newspaper journalism to move into other areas such as magazine, broadcast or online journalism. Some journalists move into press office or public relations work.
You may find the following links useful for job vacancies and general reading (links open in new window):
Guardian
holdthefrontpage.co.uk
journalism.co.uk
Press Gazette
We do not accept responsibility for the content of external sites.
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