Journalist A journalist (also called a newspaper man) is a person who practices journalism, the gathering and dissemination of information about current issues. The activity or profession of being a journalist includes aggregating, writing, editing, and presenting of news or news articles for widespread distribution, typically in periodical print publications and broadcast news media, for the purpose of informing the audience.
An entry-level reporter often does "general assignment" stories rather than stories for a specific beat. General assignment stories are given out to reporters by the city desk or assignment editor.
The following personnel are found in most news organizations that are large. Smaller organizations need not have all the people mentioned below or one person does more than one job.
Associate Editor: Would direct the preparation of a section of the newspaper or magazine. Preparation of news, featured articles and critical reviews will be his job. He will also have to plan the layout and assign reporters and photographers. To be an assistant editor, one must be aware and have the ability to write, edit and question constructively.
Sub-editor: Sorting the contents of the material to be printed, rewriting articles to ensure that they fit into the assigned space, improving the language and giving appropriate and attractive headlines will be his job as a sub-editor. Imagination, understanding and sense of news are imperative for this job.
Editor: Editor is the key head who ensures consistency and continuity of the newspaper or magazine. His job as an editor would be to present the newspaper in an attractive manner and assure that it is highly utilitarian. Also appointing his juniors, writing the editorial section and leading the team will be his responsibility.
Proof Reader: Proof Reader compares proofs with the edited copy. His job as a proof reader would involve completing the final text accurately. For this job he must have detailed knowledge of grammar, spelling and punctuation.
Reporter: As the key operator of a newspaper, magazine, news agency, radio or television channel, his job will be to report with speed, clarity and accuracy. The sense to recognize a story and objectivity will be vital in ensuring that he acts as the primary source of news.
Correspondent/Special reporter: To be a reporter for a special purpose, he must have detailed knowledge in a single field like politics, economics, sports etc. He must have the ability to interpret and explain the news on the basis of his awareness.
Writer: As a writer his job would involve choosing subjects and themes, conducting researches and assembling the material to write.
Feature writer:Writing detailed stories and commentaries on specific topics is the job of a feature writer.
Leader writer: These writers express their ideas and views on news topics through editorial columns.
Columnist: As a columnist, he would be writing for a specific segment in the newspaper or magazine. His column would project his view concerning any topic that he knows about like fashion, politics or films.
Critic: In order to be a critic, he will have to be well-read and experienced. Be it film, drama, literature or art, he must have comprehensive knowledge in the subject.
Photojournalist: Photojournalists are visual reporters who click photographs at events that make news. In order to be a photojournalist, he must be quick and willing to work in difficult conditions. He should also be capable of clicking relevant and good news pictures, write appropriate captions and be aware of the technical aspects of photography.
Cartoonist: If the person is artistic and humorous, then a career as a cartoonist will be suitable for him. His job would involve commenting on public figures and events in a comical or satirical manner through his sketches.
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