NUJ Training: Careers In Journalism
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Radio and Television

The job
Broadcasting is the sector in which journalists have the highest profiles and are, consequently, most recognisable to the rest of the world. However, not all broadcast journalists are household names - many work in ‘backroom’ capacities, for specialist programmes, or for local media and cable and digital channels.

Journalists in TV and radio may work in national or regional newsrooms, current affairs, or in specialist areas such as religious broadcasting or science programmes. They often need to combine writing ability with technical knowledge. Reporters may have to use recording media and editing equipment to produce their packages, while sub-editors will write bulletins and script film or video material. There are also specialist areas such as writing and recording programme links and trailers.

TV companies increasingly buy in feature material from independent producers, and the introduction of digital channels is creating a demand for niche output which often involves cross media production (for example, history programmes with accompanying web sites). The BBC’s influential external services provide unique opportunities for specialists.

Career paths
Demand for jobs in broadcasting is high - the BBC alone receives around 80,000 enquiries a year about jobs and takes on about 2,000 a year at all grades. The BBC is probably the first port-of-call for a new entrant, not least because experience with the BBC is often considered the best training a broadcast journalist can receive. Most entrants into broadcasting used to come from newspapers; today, the commonest route is through successful completion of a pre-entry course, offered by several universities and FE colleges. Many of these courses are aimed at graduates, but there are places for non-graduates with the right degree of commitment.

Qualifications
The Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) is the main body accrediting courses in this sector. Other courses may be approved by the British Kinematograph Sound and TV Society (BKSTS) and the broadcasters’ union, BECTU. Media studies courses listed by UCAS (the Universities and Colleges Admission Service) are also worth investigating.

The BBC runs its own training, with funding available for freelances thanks to the National Training Organisation for broadcasting, Skillset. ITV stations often offer similar in-house training. Most entrants into TV will have experience in other media, but a small number of jobs may be offered to new graduates. Involvement in amateur broadcasting is always helpful.
ENDS

Date added: 2006-08-18
Last modified: Friday, August 18, 2006
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