Journalists are responsible for writing and presenting news and current affairs stories for print media like newspapers and magazines, TV, radio and online sources. They may specialise in a particular area like economics, finance, entertainment, politics or sport. Once they conduct research into a story and plan it out they often interview people to gather information and then write the final story which will go to an editor and then appear in the media.
Journalists often work in offices or newsrooms but you can also find them in TV studios and radio stations. Some journalists also present the news. Travel is a big part of the job as they often need to move around to interview people and cover stories. Spending a long time on the road is often required as is visiting sporting or entertainment events or law courts to follow stories. Journalists need to be prepared to work in all types of weather conditions and may be required to visit accident and crime scenes or even war zones. Journalists are responsible for presenting the news in unbiased, honest and ethical way. They have to be prepared to work in a high pressure environment that is highly competitive and deadline driven.
Journalists are required to research stories and interview people in a wide variety of circumstances. They need to fact-check any information given to them by a source and write their copy for publication, often on a tight deadline. They are required to ask difficult questions, often in emotionally charged or stressful situations. It is important for journalists to build relationships with sources and contacts for use in future stories and they also need to keenly follow current events, always on the lookout for a story opportunity. Journalists are required to stay up to date with defamation, contempt and privacy laws. Working long hours and an unpredictable schedule are also part of the role.