Broadcast Journalist

Introduction:
Most of the journalists that work in Radio supply the news content, these are for one or more outlet ranging from a local Radio station to an international news organisation. they are normally apart of a smaller team but also might be based in a national or regional news room.


What Is The Job:

Radio Broadcast journalist research identify and present new news stories for a wide range of people. The Job also means they will tell the stories on air, presenting them in news bulletins or recording certain interviews. Sometimes, like in the BBC, the job role for a broadcast journalist often gets over lapped wit the roles of a reporter or a newsreader. Sometimes the broadcast journalist job may be more researching and briefing presenters, or editing, writing, planning or just the general organisation or material.
The work times for a broadcast journalist may consist in them working a range of shift patterns, these includes weekends, nights and holidays. But a journalist doesn't always have to work shift patterns as they have to always be on call. so if a story's comes up at any given time of day or night they ave to be willing to leave straight away. this may include driving for long times.


How Do You Get Into The Job?

There are 3 Main routes into broadcast journalism. These are Completing a pre-entry degree or post graduate qualification or a trainee-ship offered by a couple of large employers (E.G. BBC). and another one is first working as a print journalist and moving up.
Employers look for people with hands-on experience, particularly in Community Radio.


Essential Knowledge & Skills?

To Become a radio broadcast Journalist you may need to require most if not all of the following:



  • a sense of what makes a good news story
  • the ability to generate original ideas and to think creatively about how to communicate them
  • excellent writing and story-telling skills which they can adapt for different audiences and platforms
  • an understanding of how to use their voice to communicate effectively with listeners
  • knowledge of the Radio market, different station and program styles and audience demographics
  • curiosity and inquisitiveness, a willingness to ask questions but also to listen
  • the confidence and tenacity to pursue information, overcome obstacles and pitch ideas to senior colleagues
  • ability to work independently but also as part of a team
  • self-motivation and adaptability
  • ability to work effectively under pressure, react quickly and meet tight deadlines
  • determination, diplomacy and excellent interpersonal skills
  • empathy and patience, the ability to build rapport and draw information from people
  • ability to maintain objectivity in order to be fair and balanced in the treatment of stories
  • an interest in news and current affairs and good general knowledge
  • a thorough knowledge of the law, ethics and industry regulation as they affect radio and the practice of journalism
  • knowledge of when it is necessary and how to acquire the relevant clearances and licenses, including copyright and music clearances
  • knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
  • a high level of IT skills - particularly good word-processing and data handling skills
  • the ability to learn how to use a variety of recording equipment and to operate different radio studios
  • ability to conduct effective internet research, use relevant computer software for audio editing, and, when necessary, to manipulate visual images or edit video, and upload all such material for use on websites.
Training And Quantification.

to become a broadcast journalist you don't need any specific degree but the majority have them. If you do have a degree the radio employers don't normally expect them to be media related. they sometimes prefer if you have a degree in something else. E.G. politics r science, even languages.
But thee are trainee schemes that do take on people, but these are few and the numbers they take on are even few'er.


Salary:
The Standard starting salary is £13,000 -£19,000 a year. But can go anything upto £20,000 - £43,000 a year with experience.