Broadcast Journalist

Broadcast journalists research and present news/factual programmes for TV, radio and internet.

On national TV, radio or internet news services, they report on national and international stories. They can specialise in a particular type of news and in regional TV/radio they focus on local news.

In small commercial radio stations they could run a newsroom single-handed, but are usually part of a production team.

The work could include: following story 'leads', or generating story ideas; researching stories, using sources like the internet, archives and databases; writing scripts or website content; 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.

Other tasks include: 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; editing stories to fit exact timings; deciding on the best running order for bulletins; and making any necessary changes to bulletins as new stories break.

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.

There are three main ways that you can become a broadcast journalist: taking a degree or postgraduate course in broadcast journalism before work (‘pre-entry’); being recruited into a new entrant training scheme with a TV/radio broadcaster (‘direct entry’); or starting as a newspaper journalist and then moving into radio/TV.

See the Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) website for a list of accredited courses in broadcast journalism - check with colleges or universities for exact entry requirements.

A degree in journalism, media studies or politics may give you an advantage when applying for a training scheme. However, a degree is not always essential as employers may be more interested in your potential and commitment to working in the media.

The best way of showing 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 potential employers. A typical career route would be to start in local radio, and possibly to move into regional and even national television with experience.