Journalists
(NOC 5123)
in All Art, Culture, Recreation and SportJournalists research, investigate, interpret, and communicate news and public affairs through newspapers, television, radio, and other media. They may specialize in print or non-print media, in a geographic area, or issues like political affairs or entertainment news. Journalists work for radio and television networks and stations, newspapers and magazines and may also work on a freelance basis.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Hourly Pay
$18.26
Minimum$29.53
Median$45.61
MaximumAnnual Pay
$1,597
Minimum$36,399
Median$78,784
MaximumCompared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Hourly Pay
$13.00
Minimum$21.00
Median$40.00
MaximumAnnual Pay
$945
Minimum$11,712
Median$60,447
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Journalists research, investigate, interpret, and communicate news and public affairs through newspapers, television, radio, and other media. They may specialize in print or non-print media, in a geographic area, or issues like political affairs or entertainment news. Journalists work for radio and television networks and stations, newspapers and magazines and may also work on a freelance basis.
Job duties
Journalists:
- Collect local, national, and international news through interviews, investigation, and observation.
- Write news stories for publication and broadcast.
- Receive, analyze, and verify news and other copy for accuracy.
- Arrange for and conduct interviews as part of research and for radio and television programs.
- Research and report on developments in specialized fields like medicine, science, and technology.
- Prepare regular feature columns and stories on specialized topics.
- Write editorials and commentaries on topics of current interest to stimulate public interest and express the views of a publication or broadcasting station.
- Write critical reviews of literary, musical, and other artistic works based on knowledge, judgement, and experience.
Sample job titles
- broadcast journalist
- columnist
- commentator
- critic
- investigative reporter
- journalist
- news correspondent
- newspaper editorial writer
- reporter
- television news anchorperson
Skills
- Journalists should be organized, resourceful, and creative. A critical mind, excellent writing ability, and language skills are also necessary. Keyboarding and word processing skills are a definite asset. Knowledge of French is strongly recommended.
Job requirements
- A university degree or college diploma in journalism or a related field like communications is usually required.
Other considerations
- Some people in these jobs work irregular hours, including evenings and weekends. Experienced reporters may advance to editorial positions (print media) or become producers (broadcast media).
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
$46,395 median annual incomeSouthern
N/ACape Breton
$29,582 median annual incomeNorth Shore
N/AAnnapolis Valley
N/ACompared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Information and cultural industries
Arts, entertainment and recreation
Professional, scientific and technical services
Educational services
Manufacturing
What is the age of Employment?
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
15-24
Compared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
15-24
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$36,393 median annual incomeMaster
$57,981 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$41,637 median annual incomeHigh school
N/ADiploma Above Bachelor
N/ACompared to: All Art, Culture, Recreation and Sport
Bachelor
$17,829 median annual incomeHigh school
$7,552 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$22,120 median annual incomeLess than high school
$2,922 median annual incomeMaster
$36,173 median annual incomeEducation & training
Broadcast Journalism
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the methods and techniques for reporting, producing, and delivering news and news programs via radio, television, and video/film media and prepares students to be professional broadcast journalists, editors, producers, directors, and managers. They include courses in the principles of broadcast technology, broadcast reporting, on- and off-camera and microphone procedures and techniques, program, sound, and video/film editing, program design and production, media law and policy, and professional standards and ethics.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Communications and Media Studies
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the study of communications mass communication/media studies, old and new media technologies, social and political applications, and speech communication and rhetoric. They include courses in interpersonal, group, organizational, and intercultural communication, theories of communication, critical thinking, argumentation, and persuasion, written communication, print, electronic, and digital media, rhetorical tradition and criticism, media, society, and culture, consequences and effects of mass media, media social science and criticism, and quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry.
Institutions providing this program
Sydney, NS
Journalism
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the theory and practice of gathering, processing, and delivering news and that prepares students to be professional print journalists, news editors, and news managers. They include courses in news writing and editing, reporting, photojournalism, layout and graphic design, journalism law and policy, professional standards and ethics, research methods, and journalism history and criticism.
Institutions providing this program
Radio and Television
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the theories, methods, and techniques used to plan, produce, and distribute audio and video programs and messages and prepares students to function as staff, producers, directors, and managers of radio and television shows and media organizations. They include courses in media aesthetics, planning, scheduling, and production, writing and editing, performing and directing, personnel and facilities management, marketing and distribution, media regulations, law, and policy, and principles of broadcast technology.
Institutions providing this program
Various, NS
Technical and Scientific Communication
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on communicating technical and scientific knowledge to a variety of audiences through print, video, and digital media and prepares students to function as technical writers and editors, documentation developers, web designers, and usability specialists. They include courses in scientific and technical writing and editing, graphic and information design, web design, audience analysis, document usability and field testing, publications management, and applications to specific technical fields.
Institutions providing this program
Employment requirements & contacts
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