Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Persons Outside Organisation Communicating with people outside the organisation, representing the organisation to customers, the public, government, and other external sources. This information can be exchanged in person, in writing, or by telephone or e-mail.
•   Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others Translating or explaining what information means and how it can be used.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Performing for or Working Directly with the Public Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
•   Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
•   Thinking Creatively Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.

Working Life

The role of a media researcher is to find entertaining and interesting people, places and information to make enjoyable TV and radio programmes. 

Working mainly in offices and studios, much of the time is spent using the telephone, internet, and social media.

This job involves assisting TV and radio producers. For example, you could research factual information for documentaries or find studio audiences and guests for entertainment shows. In some job roles you might also have the opportunity to come up with and research ideas for new programmes.

Tasks 

• Discussing programme ideas and the research requirements with producers
• Finding and checking information using such sources as the internet, social media, libraries and museums
• Searching media libraries and archives for music, photographs and film footage
• Writing briefs for presenters, or brief scriptwriters
• Checking copyright and getting permission to use archive material
• Finding people for the studio audience and to contribute to the programme
• Researching locations
• Keeping detailed records
• Writing content for websites and social media sources linked to the programme

Media researchers may also cast people for roles. The job may require you to call or visit people and record short taster or casting films.

On factual programmes made by small teams, you might also do filming with digital video cameras or edit films.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
• Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programmes.
• Examine news items of local, national, and international significance to determine topics to address, or obtain assignments from editorial staff members.
• Analyse and interpret news and information received from various sources to broadcast the information.
• Receive assignments or evaluate leads or tips to develop story ideas.
• Research a story's background information to provide complete and accurate information.
• Arrange interviews with people who can provide information about a story.
• Gather information and develop perspectives about news subjects through research, interviews, observation, and experience.
• Select material most pertinent to presentation, and organise this material into appropriate formats.
• Present news stories, and introduce in-depth videotaped segments or live transmissions from on-the-scene reporters.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Investigative

The Investigative person will usually find a particular area of science to be of interest. They are inclined toward intellectual and analytical activities and enjoy observation and theory. They may prefer thought to action, and enjoy the challenge of solving problems with sophiscticated technology. These types prefer mentally stimulating environments and often pay close attention to developments in their chosen field.

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Creative

Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.

Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.

There are various routes into this job role but many media researchers have a degree linked to the type of programmes they work on. Media, communications, journalism degree programmes are all relevant. Media researchers working on a political programme, may hold a relevant degree in politics or social science.

Training for production assistants may be on-the-job. The company may organise short off-the-job courses for trainees.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: business, office admin, customer service, media, production.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: creative digital media, TV, film studies, film production, media studies, marketing, business administration, journalism, politics, social studies, psychology.

Search for PLC Courses

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: digital media, sociology, politics, TV, film production, media, communication, communications, arts, media studies, advertising and marketing communications.

Search for CAO Courses

Higher Education (Postgraduate)
Postgraduate courses are courses at Levels 9 and 10 on the NFQ and usually last 1 – 2 years full time, or longer if a PhD or part time. Entrants typically require an undergraduate award (Level 8).

Example search terms include: arts, media, creative digital media.

Search for Postgraduate Courses

Professional Development 

Professional development (CPD) courses are specialised training, formal education, or advanced professional learning that improves skills, professional knowledge, competency, and overall effectiveness in the professional world.

• IFTV Irish Film & Television Network  For a list of TV/Film production companies.
• Careers In screen pathways

Check the Useful Contacts tab on this page to see if there are any professional bodies listed who may provide training related to this career.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €70k

Salaries vary based on employer, location, experience, duties, and role.

Data Source(s):
Prosperity/ CPL/ Morgan McKinley/ Lincoln / Sigmar/ Glassdoor/ Payscale

Last Updated: July, 2024

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Librarians Archivists; curators; Journalists; newspaper and periodical editors; Public relations professionals; Advertising account managers; and creative directors.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Employment levels in this occupation has seen little change in recent years, with numbers employed in 2022 slightly lower than five years ago, resulting in a negative employment growth rate. The CSO Census data indicates that increases in employment related to public relations professionals and librarians. 

The numbers employed in the individual occupations are too small for any further analysis.

• The Analytics Institute of Ireland

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• Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII)

  • Marketing House, South County Business Park, Leopardstown, Dublin 18
  • (01) 295 2355
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