The core purpose of a journalist is to research, document, write, and present the news in an honest, ethical, and unbiased way. Although the method for reporting the news may be changing, the need for talented, qualified and educated journalists isn’t. A journalist job description still calls for hard work, ethics, quality writing, and, at its heart, the desire to tell the truth. As a journalist, you may find yourself:

• interviewing people in a wide range of circumstances
• writing copy for publication on a tight deadline
• building contacts and sources for use in future stories
• fact-checking the information given to you by a source
• creating blog publications

Whether you are working for a print, on-air, or online publication, the essential job duties remain constant.

A magazine reporter writes features, stories and columns for magazines. They interview people and turn their interviews into compelling stories for their readers. They have strong editing and proofreading skills and are able to take on multiple tasks at once. They are assigned stories from an editor and given a deadline by which to complete it. They might be required to travel for an assignment or cover a photo shoot, press conference, red carpet event or arrange a phone interview with sources. Magazine journalists tend to be independent workers who are able to work with a team for their particular magazine's vision. Magazine reporters can be hired on as full-time staff writers or work on a freelance basis depending on their area of expertise.

Newspaper journalists research and write stories for national, regional and local press. As well as news and politics, they report on sports, arts and culture, science and business. They also cover national and local events, entertainment and human interest stories.

Traditionally, junior reporters write up stories allocated to them by the news desk. They pass these to the news editor who in turn hands them to sub-editors. Other roles include correspondents, who are specialists in one field or location, and feature writers, who cover topics in greater depth, often using a more personal style.

On smaller newspapers many journalists have to multitask; they may work on layout, photography and sub-editing as well as stories.

A TV journalist provides the public with informative stories on a range of topics and may specialize in one area of reporting, such as sports, finance or business. Journalists primarily work for local, state or national news stations, as well as cable networks with broadcasts reaching local, state or national viewers. TV journalist's job duties include meeting deadlines and working long hours. Many journalists have abnormal schedules and some have to travel.

Online journalism refers to the reporting of national and international news via the Internet. Although it is similar to traditional journalism, there are several characteristics that distinguish one from the other. In online journalism, news can be reported in real time, that is, as and when events happen. Various multimedia elements like graphics, sound, animation, and motion video are a part of online journalism.

Tasks:

1. Interviewing people in a range of different circumstances
2. Building contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council, community groups, health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general public, etc
3. Seeking out and investigating stories via your contacts, press releases and other media
4. Attending press conferences and asking questions
5. Attending a variety of events, such as council meetings, magistrates' court proceedings, football matches, talent contests, etc
6. Answering the phones on the news desk and reacting to breaking news stories
7. Working closely with the news team, photographers and editors
8. Recording interviews and meetings using shorthand or technical equipment
9. 'Live' online reporting or real-time blogging when covering important events - a growing area of work, especially on national newspapers

Key skills for Reporter and Correspondent:

• The ability to write quickly, clearly, succinctly and passionately
• Excellent grammar and spelling
• The ability to strike up a rapport with all kinds of people
• Commitment and persistence.
• Curiosity: a lively and enquiring mind
• A thick skin: you have to be comfortable talking to complete strangers and asking them uncomfortable questions.
• A knowledge of media law
• Multimedia skills are increasingly essential

Average Salary (2013):

United Kingdom: £24,106 per year
United States of America: $37,523 per year
Australia: AU$46,860 per year

Qualifications and training required:

Journalists, also referred to as reporters and correspondents, have bachelor's degrees in either communications or journalism.

All journalism majors take courses in editing, journalistic ethics, reporting, feature writing, photojournalism and communications. Additional coursework is determined by whether a student is focusing on print or broadcast journalism. Students either take courses to strengthen their writing skills or to learn radio and television production techniques. Those concentrating in online media learn software and web design skills, as well as how to combine text with graphics, photo and video media. Undergraduate students also benefit from professional internships with media outlets, completed either during the summer or during the semester.