Junior Journalist

Skills & Knowledge

Journalists will use their knowledge and skills to produce news and information for TV, radio, print and digital publications. These are the core skills for a junior journalist:

• Know what a story is and how to carry out the necessary research and interviews;
• Build and maintain a range of reliable contacts;
• Create quality stories that are accurate, clear, vigorous, fair and balanced, in a form that will engage an audience;
• Work in an ethical manner and in accordance with relevant codes of conduct and demonstrate integrity;
• Be able to work on getting stories ‘right the first time’;
• Demonstrate an ability to write and use good English to industry standard for all platforms;
• Produce content for digital platforms, including video and photographic material;
• Adept at using social media and digital platforms and techniques to source content, contacts and build an audience;
• Be a good communicator; understand the importance and value of brands;
• Connects with the audience they serve;
• Work to tight deadlines;
• Be technically proficient and able to understand/use web analytics;
• Understand how society works;
• Take and keep accurate notes and records;
• Be able to gather, verify and make proper use of User Generated Content (UGC);
• Be able to gather, use and present data;
• Understand how the law affects the work of a journalist;
• Adhere to relevant health and safety legislation in the workplace; and
• Understand the ‘news business’ with a knowledge of emerging trends in the media industry.

Apprentices will follow one of the following pathways to gain the additional specialist skills:

For print and associated digital platforms, journalists must:

• For most employers, write and accurately transcribe shorthand at 100 words per minute;
• Edit copy and write headlines for publication on different platforms;
• Take photographs suitable for publication;
• Be able to report from a wide range of settings;
• Research and write clear, accurate, compliant and engaging stories and features for newspapers, magazines and websites;
• For some employers, be able to use data to contribute towards potential editorial content and strategies;
• Have a good working knowledge of regulation as laid out in the editors’ code.
• For TV/radio and associated digital platforms, journalists must:
• Research and write clear, accurate, balanced, compliant and engaging stories for TV and radio;
• For some employers, be able to write and accurately transcribe shorthand at 100 words per minute;
• Understand the techniques of interviewing for broadcast and can conduct a simple broadcast interview themselves;
• Demonstrate familiarity with the basic techniques and technology of broadcast newsgathering, including the sourcing of material;
• Have an awareness of the basic set-up of radio and television news studios, operate simple radio and television equipment, and be familiar with the language and terminology of a broadcast newsroom;
• Show a good working knowledge of the key principles of broadcast regulation as laid out in the Ofcom Broadcasting Code; and BBC editorial guidelines.
• For public relations (PR), corporate communications and associated digital platforms, journalists must:
• Understand how journalism in PR and corporate communications differs from journalism in other sectors;
• For some employers, be able to write and accurately transcribe shorthand at 100 words per minute;
• Be able to prepare content for specific purposes (e.g. press releases, social media, brochures, exhibition boards);
• Have a good understanding of the business (businesses) they work for;
• Know the difference between outputs (e.g. press releases, social media etc.); and
• Be able to act as a mediator and facilitator between the media and employer.

Behaviours

Journalists should have: a hard-working attitude; an inquiring mind; a lively interest in current affairs; an ability to write and use words accurately and with effect; persistence and determination; and a willingness to embrace change and accept unsocial working hours. They must be able to demonstrate commitment and desire to be a journalist. They must have professional attitudes to their job, how they present themselves for work and have an understanding of the diversity of their audience. They should also be: prepared to work shifts; conscientious; enthusiastic; resilient; a team player; have an ability and desire to carry out duties in accordance with the law, regulations and any appropriate codes of conduct; and have high personal standards in terms of discretion/confidentiality.

Entry Requirements 

Individual employers will identify any relevant entry requirements in terms of previous qualifications, training, work experience or other criteria. Apprentices without Level 2 English and maths will need to achieve this level prior to completion of their apprenticeship.

Duration

We would expect a candidate coming onto this apprenticeship, without previous relevant experience, to typically take at least 18 months to complete the programme. This may be reduced if an apprentice is part-qualified or has relevant experience on entry.

Professional Qualifications / Recognition

This assessment will include the NCTJ Level 3 Diploma in Journalism, an existing end-of programme assessment which is well-recognised and valued in the industry. The end-point assessment will cover the whole standard and will be graded pass, merit or distinction.

Originally published on Gov.uk, this information has been re-used under the terms of the Open Government Licence.