Freelance Journalism
Diploma FJ12
Journalism, Editing & Publishing
Learning Method: Correspondence with online support

Career opportunities include: Freelance Journalist, Columnist, Feature Writer, News Reporter, Freelance Writer, Foreign Correspondent, Sub-editor, Researcher.

Industries include: newspaper/magazine publishing, television/media, corporate/government.

Journalists write and edit news reports, commentaries and features for newspapers, magazines and for radio or television stations. Most journalists are expected to be 'generalists', that is, able to cover almost any topic of interest. Journalists who work for large commercial organisations and government departments may also prepare annual reports and media releases. A journalist may perform the following tasks:

• gather news and information by interviewing people and attending events
• undertake research to provide background information for articles
• assess the suitability of reports and articles for publication or broadcasting, within an established style and format, and edit as necessary
• write articles that comment on or interpret news events, and that may put forward a point of view on behalf of the publication/broadcasting agency
• comment on television/radio (in the broadcasting industry)
• liaise with all sorts of people, particularly those in the media business.
  

Journalists usually start as in-house cadets or freelancers and report routine events and general interest stories. All journalists are required to understand the laws of defamation, contempt and copyright. They may have to work irregular hours and often need to complete work to meet publication or broadcasting deadlines. Travel is sometimes a necessary part of the work. After learning the ropes, a journalist may specialise as a:

• News Reporter: reports on day-to-day news events (e.g. crime, education, health, sport, business)
• Columnist: writes a regular section within their particular interest category (e.g. home decorating, beauty, fashion, politics).
• Feature Writer: writes in-depth stories on specific news and general interest topics (often with accompanying photos taken by a photojournalist).
• Foreign Correspondent: a reporter who is located overseas and writes stories on international affairs.
• Rounds Reporter: reports on information provided by sources such as police, courts and hospitals.
• Commentator, reviewer or critic: evaluating anything from sports, films and restaurants to art exhibitions, travel destinations and consumer goods.
• Sub-editor: edit and proofread articles submitted by journalists and check for errors, inconsistencies and readability.
• Researcher: work in print media or broadcasting and develop story ideas for programs or publication, as well as undertaking background research on all sorts of topics.