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Broadcast journalist: Career development

Broadcast journalists who start in television will often begin as newsroom assistants or researchers, before moving into a reporting role. As experience is gained, there is scope to specialise; some may choose to focus on pursuing a senior broadcast journalist role with responsibility for managing news staff and budgets while others may prefer to become a studio-based news anchor or presenter. Another route may be to specialise to become a correspondent. The ultimate aim for the latter may be to secure a position as a senior correspondent on network news, though these positions are highly coveted and few and far between.

Investigative journalism or documentary journalism are also possible career development options. Those who wish to move behind the scenes may aspire to become programme editors/sub-editors or producers.

Radio differs slightly in that trainees are normally given greater responsibility earlier on. Depending on the size of the station, they may even find that they have sole responsibility for a newsroom from the outset. Progression would normally be to positions with larger commercial or network stations or across into television and then as above.

AGCAS

Written by Claire Byron, Newcastle University

Last updated:

February 2009

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