Learn about the key characteristics that make a good journalist stand out in their field. From curiosity to integrity, discover what sets great journalists apart.
Characteristics of a Good Journalist
A successful journalist should know something of everything and in a way everything of something He must possess some knowledge of law, religion, war, science, business, politics etc. He should also be interested in philosophy, music, painting and social patterns. In fact, a journalist has vast general knowledge, because more informed a journalist is the better is he equipped to handle journalistic duties.
A journalist should be a voracious reader of newspapers, journals, periodicals etc. In fact, there is no end to knowledge and as far as the knowledge of a journalist is concerned, the sky is the limit. Therefore he should try to learn every new thing which comes in his way. He should have a very strong desire for learning new subjects and new things to increase his knowledge A journalist should have many qualities.
Far Sightedness
A person who wants to become a successful journalist must possess far-sightedness. He will also learn a lot by experience 1 Ie should try to develop qualities of tact, diplomacy and alertness
Good Health
A person who wants to join this profession should have sound health and be in good shape, as he may get tired after a little extra exertion or suffer from headache and pain in body A person with bad health can’t remain in this profession for a long time as he has to undergo the strain of long hours of arduous w ork Thus a journalist must have a sound mind and a sound body.
Alert
A journalist has to travel a lot in and outside the city and may be to different parts of the country. Sometimes, he may also have to travel to foreign lands as a reporter to perform his journalistic assignments He should be mentally and physically prepared to do all this because when one leaves one’s home and goes to other countries one becomes homesick. He may also have to travel day and night in unknown places to meet all sorts of people.
Courageous
While covering war news, a journalist may have to endanger his life for the sake of his profession, he must be courageous enough to face such hazards and dangers He should be bold and brave in the moment ofcrisis, especially when covering riots, communal disturbances, workers, Demonstrations etc. He may also have to be present at the scene of a lathi charge, police firing or teargas shelling He should have the stamina to undergo all these strains and risks.
Will Power
There is a lot of competition now a day in journalistic world. A newcomer in particular has to work hard in the first few years to learn basic things of the business. The life of a journalist has many compensations like ’high rewards, a career full of adventure, meeting vip’s like business magnates, famous industrialists, ministers and heads of states but this is possible only when he has established himself as a famous journalist
A journalist goes everywhere and sees both the food and bad aspect of life behind the scenes His life is not a bed of roses An incapable and inefficient person cannot survive in this profession for a long time.
Salary
A journal Ai may not earn a very handsome salary in the beginning of his career When he starts his career, he may even have to work as an apprentice or as a junior for a few year to learn the rudiments of his trade. During this period, he will have to content himself with an income which may not be very high
Comfortable Life
The progress and success of a journalist depends solely on his worth and merit. He may get many chances to rise in his career, but it depends upon him how he makes the most of these chances which come his way. Once he has established himself as a good journalist, he will start earning a comfortable and high salary according to his worth
Qualification
There is no doubt that in the past, there were no hard and fast rules regarding the educational or professional qualification for a person who wanted to join this field Journalism was an open profession for every body. Anybody having a flair for writing and liking for this profession could join it, because ultimately his success depended upon his merit and capability.
However, some of the educational and other qualifications which a new comer to journalism should possess are mentioned below.
- A minimum qualification is a graduation degree which is insisted upon by the management of most of the newspapers for new entrants.
- A degree in journalism which is desirable but not absolutely necessary.
- A good knowledge of shorthand and type.
- A flair for writing
- A good knowledge of grammar and the correct use of language
- An inquisitive mind and willingness to learn more about different subjects
- Vast general knowledge about national and international affairs.
- because words are the tools with which a journalist has to operate.
- A habit of reading extensively, books and especially national and international newspapers and periodicals to increase general knowledge
- Some background knowledge of history, culture, civilization and about other aspects of human life
- Basic knowledge of business, industry, banking, commerce . etc.
- A curiositive nature which forces a person to find answers to questions like why and how.
- And most important of all the qualities of honesty, intergrity and good character.
In conclusion, the characteristics of a good journalist are varied and complex, but all are essential for success in the field.