If you have a passion for storytelling, a commitment to seeking the truth, and a desire to make a difference, you can start a career in journalism. A career as a journalist can be an exciting, fulfilling, and lucrative journey. Then this article aims to guide you through the essential steps to kickstart your journalism career in India.
Journalism is a dynamic and rewarding field that plays a crucial role in shaping public opinion, uncovering truth, and promoting democracy. As a diverse and vibrant country with a thriving media landscape, India has provided numerous opportunities for aspiring journalists to make their mark.
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According to Google, the definition of Journalism is as follows:
The activity or profession of writing for newspapers, magazines, or news websites or preparing news to be broadcast.
If we have to explain it in the social media area, journalism is a fascinating field that offers a unique opportunity to report, investigate, and shape public opinion. Besides, it is an integral part of any democratic country like India because it allows citizens to get information about what is happening around the country and the globe.
Usually, a journalist works for a news organisation, newspapers, magazines, radio stations, television etc. However, with the growth of digital media and social media platforms, a new field of work has been opened up for a journalist.
India currently has more than 900+ permitted private news or television channels and 100,000 registered newspapers. Thus this has opened tremendous job opportunities and prospects for aspiring candidates to start their careers in journalism.
Not only in India but also globally, journalism is growing and evolving rapidly. So a career in journalism is in high demand. According to the media global report 2023, the expected growth rate of the media market will be 7.8%, and the expected market size will be $3200.17 billion.
As the market grows, demand and opportunities will also be created. Here is a step-by-step guide you will need to start a career in journalism.
To become a successful career in journalism, one can start a journey by obtaining a solid education, honing your skills, building a network, and embracing digital journalism.
To have a successful career in journalism, it is essential to build a solid foundation. Firstly, this is possible by pursuing a relevant journalism degree or diploma course in journalism, mass communication, or a related field from a recognised university or institute. Indeed, these programs provide theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential to the industry.
While a specific degree is not mandatory to become a journalist, pursuing a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in journalism, mass communication, or a related field can provide a strong foundation and equip you with essential knowledge and skills. There are three ways to begin a career journey as a journalist.
Here is a list of diploma courses that one can opt to start a career in nursing.
Further, for post graduation programme, you need to pursue a bachelor’s degree in a journalism-related field with a minimum aggregate course of 50%. However, some institutions prefer experienced candidates.
There is a slow growth for traditional journalism, but digital journalism is fast growth phase and rising. Along with the development of technology and digital mediums, digital media houses are growing, creating more employment opportunities for journalism graduates.
To start working in journalism, one has two options to select from.
Moreover, both these fields work in a completely different way. However, growth scale, way of working, pay scale etc., is entirely different in both fields. So you should select a lot by considering your skill, strength and weakness.
In journalism, after finishing education or along with your education, you need work experience to boost your journalism career. Undoubtedly, real-world experience is invaluable in journalism. Indeed practical experience will provide a sustaining and lucrative career experience that can play an important role.
Usually, one can gain experience with an internship or work under someone at a media outlet. However, some institutes or colleges provide internships to their students. Primarily this internship programme will provide practical knowledge and develop proper skills in this field, which will be a significant strength for your career.
Moreover, there are several internship options for students pursuing BJMC/BA as a Journalism intern, Social media Intern, Editorial Intern, Content Marketing intern, copywriting intern and many more.
Lastly, another option is to work under some experienced personality or media house. For that, you must prepare a resume reflecting your education and skills. This resume you can post this on all relevant online and offline platforms to get selected. However, this process will be followed by a personal interview for a candidate to be selected.
Furthermore, seeking practical experience with media organisations, newspapers, news channels, or online publications to gain hands-on experience and understand the intricacies of the field will also help you build a network of professional contacts, which can be beneficial for future job opportunities.
Additionally, consider freelancing for smaller publications or online platforms to showcase your versatility and expand your portfolio.
Journalism demands a diverse skill set. Usually, the skills you will require entirely depends on the field and specialisation programme you have selected. However, here I am sharing essential skills to start a successful career in journalism.
Usually, it is essential to sharpen your writing abilities by practising different styles, such as news articles, features, and editorials. Develop research skills to dig deeper into stories.
In addition, Familiarise yourself with multimedia tools to create engaging content across various platforms. Effective communication, critical thinking, and adaptability are also vital traits for journalists.
At present, in the digital age, online journalism is rapidly growing. Develop skills in digital storytelling, social media management, and content creation for online platforms.
To enhance your digital skills, you can create a personal blog or website to showcase your work and engage with a broader audience.
Indeed, understanding the dynamics of online journalism is essential for staying relevant and competitive.
Journalism is an ever-evolving field, so staying updated with current events, industry trends, and emerging technologies is crucial. Undoubtedly, following credible news sources, reading widely, and critically analysing information are essential.
Moreover, upholding journalistic ethics, such as objectivity, accuracy, and fairness, is paramount to maintaining credibility and trust with your audience.
Journalism is a lifelong learning process. To improve your skills, stay curious, seek feedback, and continuously.
In addition, consider pursuing advanced degrees or specialised courses to enhance your knowledge and stay ahead in the competitive landscape. Journalistic associations and organisations also offer workshops and training programs to help you grow professionally.
Generally, effective communication is at the core of journalism. Henceforth, enhance your writing and verbal skills by regularly reading newspapers, magazines, and books.
Practice articulating your thoughts clearly and concisely. Engage in debates, participate in public speaking events, and consider enrolling in communication courses or workshops to sharpen your skills.
Freelancing and entrepreneurship provide an alternative path for journalists in India. Besides, freelancers can contribute to multiple media outlets, work on independent projects, and develop a diverse portfolio.
Additionally, entrepreneurial journalists can start their own media ventures, including online magazines, podcasts, newsletters, or niche-focused websites.
Networking plays a vital role in the journalism industry. For networking, one can attend media conferences, workshops, and industry events to meet professionals, journalists, and editors. Apart from this, engage in discussions, exchange ideas, and seek mentorship opportunities.
Besides, a strong network can open doors to internships, job opportunities, and valuable guidance from experienced individuals.
Generally, The average salary of a journalist depends on education qualification, skills, experience, knowledge, institute or level they work for. Here I am sharing a general outline of an average salary in journalism.
Moreover, it’s essential to consider that journalism is not solely about the financial aspect but also the passion for storytelling, the impact on society, and the pursuit of truth. Journalists often find fulfilment in their work beyond just monetary rewards.
Usually, the annual salary of a beginner journalist in India ranges from INR 1.5 lakh to 2.5 lakh per annum. However, his figure increases depending on the candidate’s educational qualifications and work experience. At the same time, a journalist with about 5-10 years of experience can earn between INR 4.5 to 5 lakh per year in India.
Here is the list of salaries based on posts
If you want to work in a journalistic role, you can find employment in the following organisations:
Generally, Outside of journalism and media, there are plenty of options for you to use your creativity and communication skills. Typical employers include:
Prannoy Roy is an Indian economist, chartered accountant, journalist, and author. He is one of the most popular journalists in India.
To boost your quality of communication and writing, the 7 Cs of Communication is the best checklist, and they are:
There are four types of communication:
BA Journalism and Mass Communication and Journalism are some of the best courses for journalism after the 12th.
To start a career in journalism, you don’t need a specific stream. You can start with any stream. However, for financial writers, commerce is the best field.
Journalism falls into four broad categories—
High-Paying Journalist Jobs in the journalism field are as follows;
Travelling depends upon the kind and types of work the journalists are into. If the job requires field visits, attending seminars, conferences, and events, then the journalists travel. But if the position requires the journalists to be at the studio, travelling is not needed.
In truth, from the lowest-beat reporter to the news media executive, this is one of the most stressful careers around. Journalists must also manage deadlines, busy, long-hour work environments, hectic schedules, travel, demanding editors and the public, and the fear of being laid off.
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Yes, one can start a journey of journalism after the 12th. However, as you have no degree or experience, you will get entry-level jobs. But this can help boost your career and provide a complete market experience.
Finally, the journalism industry in India offers many job opportunities for aspiring journalists. Whether through traditional print media, broadcast journalism, digital platforms, or specialised fields like investigative reporting, feature writing, or sports journalism, there are avenues to suit a wide range of interests and skills. Besides, the media landscape continues to evolve. Embracing new technologies and adapting to changing trends is essential.
Finally, stay persistent, remain adaptable and uphold ethical standards to make a meaningful impact through your journalistic endeavours. Additionally, the world needs committed and talented journalists, and with determination and hard work, you can be part of this dynamic profession in India.
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