What Careers are in Broadcast Journalism?

Careers in broadcast journalism may involve directing, reporting, editing, producing or writing the news for an online news outlet or for a radio or television station. Some of the most common broadcast journalism jobs include production assistants and station managers who work behind the scenes as well as on-air talent such as the reporters and news anchors. The following are several different types of jobs that contribute to the production of a successful news broadcast. If you have a passion for information and news, you may find a job for you in the field of broadcast journalism, regardless of whether you prefer management, technology or writing.

Production Assistant

Production assistants work behind-the-scenes to ensure that the broadcast goes off as expected. These professionals do not have one or two job duties; rather, they assist with all aspects of production. They time newscast segments, operate studio equipment, edit video and audio, write news, and research leads. They are also responsible for working with producers, directors, on-air talent and other staff members within the newsroom to make sure that the broadcasts are produced as expected.

Station Manager

If there is one person responsible for overseeing all of the functions of a television or radio station, it is the station manager. This individual operates as the chief executive of the station, and he or she is tasked with making the final decisions about schedules, programming, and content. Depending on the size of the station, station managers may also set long-term goals, manage the firing and hiring of personnel, set station policies and budgets, and ensure the station’s financial viability is maintained throughout the month.

Reporter

Most of us are familiar with the job duties of a reporter. They are responsible for finding leads, investigating stories and interviewing witnesses and sources. During live broadcasts, reports are required to report on-location, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Compared to newscasters who typically work in the studio itself, reporters can be found in the field as they often cover emergency or breaking news as they occur, as in the case of accidents, natural disasters, and other critical situations. Reporters may focus on a specialized topic like politics, business, or health, or they may be tasked with covering more general assignments such as happenings and events throughout their communities.

News Anchor

When we think about careers in broadcast journalism, visions of news anchors likely come to mind. These individuals are the most recognizable members of the news team, which means they have a critical role as they embody the identity of the station. They mediate discussions on radio and television broadcasts, conduct in-studio interviews, and read stories. They may also have the responsibility of writing, editing, and producing the news. Thus, it stands to reason why most news anchors started out as reporters in the field.

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Broadcast journalism careers require everyone to work as a team, and every single employee contributes to the outcome and, hopefully, the success of the newscast. General duties might include setting the run-down for a newscast, editing and shooting audio and video files, researching stories and chasing news leads, and maintaining contacts with community organizations, law enforcement, and the local government. In order to pursue careers in broadcast journalism, most employers require candidates to hold at least a four-year degree in mass communications, journalism, or broadcasting, though some may hold those with hands-on experience in broadcasting in higher regard.

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