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.

The Work

Journalists work on news or features, reporting in newspapers, magasines, radio or television. Most work in a particular type of journalism, such as news, business/finance, fashion, celebrity, investigative, or sports.

Depending on the type of media and the type of journalism you work in, some tasks are typical for all journalists. For example, they work to very tight deadlines. They carry out research that involves collecting information, and investigating stories and events and this may involve interviewing people and reading reports. When they have finished their research, they write the report or article for publication or broadcast.

Experienced journalists may become sub-editors. Sub-editing involves checking written reports and articles for accuracy, legality and the correct use of English. Sub-editors also write headlines and design pages.

Direct entry to the national press is almost impossible. Nearly all journalists start work on local newspapers or radio stations and report on regular events such as council meetings, court sessions, football matches and local shows. These 'on diary' events are assigned to reporters by the editor or chief reporter. For some assignments, the reporter has to collect background information by using personal contacts and libraries. They gain insight into events by interviewing commentators or participants.

News must be up-to-date, which means the reporter may have to compromise between gathering information and meeting deadlines. As well as covering planned events, reporters seek their own news items by, for example, relating national news to local affairs, making regular contact with hospitals, the fire service and police, and using their own contacts.

Magasine journalists write features in areas of interest for the magasine’s readers and so need to keep up-to-date with developments and trends in the subject area. Many journalists are involved in production as well as the creative aspects of the job. Sub-editing involves improving raw copy, some of which may have been written by non-journalists, and checking for accuracy, legality and the correct use of English.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Write commentaries, columns, or scripts, using computers.
• Coordinate and serve as an anchor on news broadcast programs.
• 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.

Further Information

• Journalist / Reporter - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Journalist / Reporter - from: GradIreland
• Journalist / Reporter - from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Journalist / Reporter - from: N.C.S. [UK]

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

Linguistic

The Linguistic's interests are usually focused on ideas and information exchange. They tend to like reading a lot, and enjoy discussion about what has been said. Some will want to write about their own ideas and may follow a path towards journalism, story writing or editing. Others will develop skills in other languages, perhaps finding work as a translator or interpreter. Most Linguistic types will enjoy the opportunity to teach or instruct people in a topic they are interested in.

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.

Although it is not always necessary, most journalists / Reporters have some form of formal training in journalism. The most common course subjects include journalism, communication and media.

There are many pathways into Journalism for broadcasting & presenting. These can be in standard media: TV/ Radio, or in new media over social media streaming & sharing platforms. Developing your skills, practice, and network are key.  

Training & Development

FET Centre Traineeship: Broadcasting & Production skills in centres around Ireland at NFQ Level 5 Search FET Courses

FET PLC Courses: Theatrical performance, Production, Audio/ Visual, Journalism, Broadcasting, New Media, Digital media, Acting, TV presenting & Film production at NFQ Levels 5-6 Search FET PLC Courses

Apprenticeship: There are no specific Apprenticeships currently in this career area but more are in development Search Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO Entry: Creative broadcasting & production, Film & broadcasting, Digital Media, Journalism, Journalism and Digital Communication, Communications Studies,  NFQ Levels 7-8 Search CAO courses

Professional Development 

Postgraduate Study Options Arts, Digital media, Production & broadcasting / TV/ Radio/ Media, and Journalism at NFQ level 9

Careersinscreen

Irish Film & Televlsion Network

Last Updated: April, 2023

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €35k - €90k

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

Data Source(s):
Payscale/ salaryexpert/ Glassdoor/ Prosperity.ie/ Morgan McKinley

Last Updated: July, 2024

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

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.

• National Union of Journalists

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