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

Radio/television journalists collect and report on news and other items of interest to radio and television. Ideas for news and features are found by monitoring other media and following up leads provided by specialist staff, local contacts and members of the public. In presenting news slots, journalists need to select and prioritise items, giving more time or attention to those that are judged to be most important.  
 
Journalists in local radio, in RTE and commercial broadcasting companies, gain a wide range of experience; attending public events, conducting interviews and editing tapes, as well as researching and writing bulletins and reports.  
 
Journalists employed in national television and radio are either reporters, who go out and collect stories, or sub-editors (sometimes known as writers), who write bulletins in the newsroom. Writers work alongside technical and production staff. They organise maps, graphics and captions and scripts that accompany reporters' stories. However, these roles are becoming more blurred due to advances in digital technology.  
 
The programme editor decides upon news items and sends the reporter (sometimes accompanied by a technical and camera crew) to collect more information. Reporters assess the event to be covered, collect and present background information and interview key people. Reports may be broadcast 'live', but if they are recorded, the reporter makes detailed notes to assist in editing the video. Many reporters file their stories for radio as well as television.

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

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.

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.

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.

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)* €40k - €97k

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

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

Last Updated: April, 2023

* 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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