Journalism also known as the “Fourth Pillar of Democracy” is a dynamic, creative, fast and very competitive field. The job of a Journalist not only includes reporting and presenting news but also includes writing, editing, researching on current affiars and every single incident happening across the globe. The main role of a Journalist is to gather information that are related to national, international, sports, business, economic, social and many more. They interview people, conduct research to find out new and interesting facts to report it to the audience.
In order to be a Journalist, candidates must clear class 12 board exams with major in English. Apart from this candidate must have a minimum aggregate of 50% in order to be eligible for a career in Journalism After 12th, the candidate can pursue undergraduate and postgraduate courses in Journalism such as, Bachelors in Journalism, Bachelor in Journalism and mass Communication, Master’s in Journalism, and many more. Candidates aspiring to become Jourmalist across any regional mainlines or news channels have to pursue relevant courses depending on the state that they are residing in. They can also pursue various diploma courses and certification courses.
After completing an Undergraduate or Postgraduate degree in journalism, candidates can expect a starting salary of INR 4 LPA. While a journalist with an experience of 5 years and above can expect a salary of INR 12 LPA. Some of the top journalists in India are Ravish Kumar, Sudhir Chaudhary, Dhweta Singh, Barkha Singh and many more. Their annual income ranges around INR 40 L - 2.30 Crore.
Table of Content
Who is a Journalist
Journalists are skilled and qualified professionals who write for Newspaper, Magazines, News websites etc. Some of the key features of a Journalist include,
- They report all the past and current events and also report future possibilities.
- They contribute largely to cultural influences.
- They collect/ gather information in the form of text, audio or photographs and then they process it in the form of news to disseminate among the public.
- The medium through which they reach out to their audience are News channel, newspaper, social media channels, radio, magazines and journals. This profession is not just a profession but much more of a responsibility,
Qualifications to be a Journalist
The list of eligibility criteria for becoming a Journalist is listed below:
- The candidate must have completed 10+2 with a minimum aggregate of 50 % marks in any discipline
- The candidate must have 10+2 from a recognized board or University
- The candidate belonging to SC/ST category get a relaxation of 5% i.e. 45 % marks in aggregate
- Candidates must have English as one of the main subjects.
- Some universities/colleges take admission on an entrance basis. So a valid score in the entrance exams is required.
- For a Master's Degree , candidates must have a bachelor’s degree in Journalism or Mass Communication.
- The candidate must have scored a minimum aggregate of 50%.
- For pursuing a Post Graduate Diploma course in Journalism, the candidate must have scored a minimum aggregate of 45 % marks.
Jobs of Journalist
Some of the key duties of a Journalist are tabulated below for your reference,
| Job Profile | Job Description | Average Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Photojournalists | The Job of a Photojournalist is to interpret and convey in a visual i.e. in a form of photographs. They focus on various elements such as storytelling, photography, camera equipment, editing, etc. They should also comply with the legal requirements. | INR 4.50 L |
| copywriter | Copywriters write and create content for newspapers, magazines, websites, online channels. Their main role is to create content in the form of news such as business, sports, national events and many more. | INR 4.20 L |
| Editor | The job of an Editor is to make sure that the news which goes into the public domain is not in any way not complying to the legalities or is in any way affecting the public sentiments. They correct wrong spellings or any grammatical errors. They make sure that the article is readable to the public. | INR 4.08 L |
| Media Researcher | The Job of a Media Researcher is to find out every single fact or details of the information and also collect the statistical data if any. For some profiles, to be a Media Researcher may require a Specialization in this field. | INR 4.60 L |
| PR Manager | The role of a PR professional is to maintain and enhance the client relationship with the company. They are responsible for creating the company’s persona in the public domain. Their role also includes to create a good brand image, handle crises,press releases, etc. | INR 7.50 L |
| Social Media Manager | In this era of Social Media, where it not only serves as a source of entertainment but also acts as a news channel. The role of Social Media Manager is to create, execute, manage brand promotions across various social media channels such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, LinkedIn, etc. | INR 4.10 L |
| Critics | They are the experts who present their views or opinions on a particular subject matter on the basis of knowledge and experience on any topics such National events, Entertainment, music, food, fashion, etc. | INR 5.33 L |
| News Presenter | The job of a presenter is to communicate with the audience in a manner that can hold the audience. They should have good vocal skills, fluent, etc. They should be calm and composed. They bring the news to the public. | INR 3.9 L |
Role of a Journalist
The Main responsibilities of Investment Banker includes:
- They assemble together and write news that will interest their audience.
- Present all relevant facts without letting their personal beliefs affect the news.
- Generate ideas for stories which can attract their audience
- Assemble findings to make a stable story
- Receive assignments and investigate the leads
- They contact, interview and research the source
Skills of a Journalist
Some of the skills required to become a Journalist in India are provided below for your reference,
| Time Management | Objectivity and Logical Reasoning | Communication skills |
| Attention to details | Research Aptitude | Production Knowledge |
| Digital Literacy | Enthusiasm | Writing Skills |
Salary of a Journalist
According to Glassdoor, the average salary of a journalist in India is INR 5.50 LPA. The highest salary in India is around INR 1.20 Crore. Some of the top journalists in India are Ravish Kumar, Arnab Goswami, Shweta Singh, Barkha Dutt and many more
Specialization wise
| Specialization | Average Annual Salary (INR) |
|---|---|
| Broadcast Journalist | 4.20 L |
| Photojournalists | 4.50 L |
| News presenter | 3.70 L |
| Political Journalist | 6.10 L |
| Critics | 5.80 L |
Top Recruiters for a Journalist
The top recruiters for a Journalists are as follows:
| India Tv | News 18 | Navbharat Times |
| Hindustan Times | The Hindu | Times of India |
| Dainik Jagran | Zee Network | The Pioneer |
Journalist Jobs : FAQs
Ques. What do journalists do ?
Ans. The role of a Journalist is to ,
- Investigate the lead/ tip
- Interview people and sources
- Write and report the news
- Present the news to the audience
Ques. What courses should I pursue to become a journalist ?
Ans. The courses that a candidate can pursue to become a Journalist are
- BA in Mass Communication
- Diploma in Journalism
- PG Diploma in Journalism
- Bachelor of Journalism and Mass communication
- MA in Journalism
- Masters in journalism and Mass Communication
Ques. Is journalism a good career option?
Ans. Yes, Journalism is considered to be one of the fastest growing careers due to many factors such as high pay , great future prospects, travel around the world , promotional benefits etc.
Ques. What is the highest salary of a Journalist?
Ans. The highest salary of a Journalist is around INR 1.20 Crore per annum. The hike in salary is dependent on many factors such as skills, experience, qualifications and the company they are working in.
Ques. what are the areas of recruitment for Journalists?
Ans. The areas of recruitment for Journalists are:
- Public Relations
- Corporate business
- Teaching
- Marketing
- Law firms
Ques. Which are the top companies that recruit journalists?
Ans. Some of the top companies are
- India Tv
- Hindustan times
- Dainik bhaskar
- Times Now
- Mint
- Indian Express
Ques. What are the career opportunities after completing graduation?
Ans. After completing graduation the candidate can become :
- Cartoonist
- Editor
- News presenter
- News Reporter
- Critic
Ques. What are the average fees to pursue journalism?
Ans. The average fees to pursue journalism in India is around INR 60000- 5.00 L. The fees can vary depending on the college you are in whether private or Government.
Ques. Which Country is best for studying Journalism ?
Ans. The countries that are preferred by students to pursue are:
- USA
- UK
- Singapore
- Franch
Ques. What is the lowest salary of a Journalist?
Ans. According to Glassdoor , the lowest salary that a Journalist draws is INR 17,689 per month.
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