Introduction::
Career in Journalism is an esteemed profession as well as a highly rewarded one. Journalism is concerned with collection and dissemination of news through the print media as well as the electronic media. This involves various areas of works like reporting, writing, editing, photographing, broadcasting or cable casting news items. Journalist informs, interprets, educates, enlightens the people and plays a major role in the development of nation. The purpose of Journalism itself is to collect information about daily happenings in the society. So, to become a journalist one should be tactful, confident and organised while interviewing people from different backgrounds. They must have the ability to accept criticism and willingness to do considerable rewriting. Journalists can specialize in diverse areas such as politics, finance and economics, investigation, culture and sports for newspapers and periodicals. On the basis of media, Journalism can be classified into two:
• Print Journalism
• Electronic (Audio/Visual) Journalism
Nature of Work:
Journalists can work as editors, reporters, columnists, correspondents, staff or freelance writer, photojournalists, proofreaders, news analysts etc. in newspapers, periodicals and magazines, central information service, press information bureau and electronic (Radio, Television and Web) media. They can also take up this career as a part time employment and work as a Freelance Journalist.
Remuneration:
The minimum salary as per government directive has to be Rs. 5500 to Rs. 9000 for Reporters and senior reporters. Salary of chief reporters and sub-editors may range between Rs. 5000 to Rs. 10,500 and Rs. 7500 to Rs. 12000 for editors. In addition to all pay packets, they get travel and stay expenses as well as allowances. Freelance Journalists get paid for each piece of work they submit.
Thus, specialisation and professionalism in reporting is required to become a proficient Journalist.
Eligibilty:
Eligibility to pursue a career in Journalism is a Bachelor\\\’s degree or post-graduate degree in journalism/mass communication. Job opportunities in this field can be increased by additional course work, specialized training or experience, fieldwork or internship. Minimum qualification required to pursue Bachelor’s degree in Journalism is 10+2 and for Post graduate degree courses is a Bachelor degree in Journalism. One year certificate courses in Journalism are also offered for which eligibility is 10+2.