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Journalists are employed in newspapers and periodicals as reporters, sub-editors, make-up sub-editors, lead writers, commentators, foreign correspondents, assistant editors and editors.Duties performed by these persons are explained below : |
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The News Reporter
A reporter is the gatherer of news, and as such performs an important function in a newspaper establishment. As he has to gather news, he is required to be on the move most of the time usually within the area allotted to him. He has to interview persons and attend public functions and meetings, press conferences and law courts to investigate events of public interest, to collect news and to cover the contemporary happenings or events. |
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The Sub-Editor
A Sub-Editor is a presenter of news and reports. He should have a lawyer's analytical approach and quick-mindedness, which enables him to understand a brief quickly and come to the core of the matter. He has to glean important points from the mass of material sent by the news reporters and condense them giving a shape in a logical and interesting way. He has to give suitable headlines, where necessary, revise and condense the material to suit the available space. |
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The Chief Sub-Editor
He assigns and allocates work to various sub-editors working under him and also coordinates and supervises their work. |
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The Make Up Sub-Editor
The make up sub-editor has to possess the vision of an artist, as he has to adjust different types of printing and spacing in such a way that it gives an attractive appearance to the printed matter. The traits of an artist, a technician and craftsman have to be combined in him. |
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The Lead Writer
A lead writer is neither a gatherer of news., like a reporter, nor a presenter of news, like a sub-editor. His work is to comment and to present the view point of the paper on the whole. He must be able to come to a reliable judgement in a short time.
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The Commentator
A commentator not only reports the news but also gives his comments on them. He has to be a specialist in his line, as it is only then that he will be able to do justice to his subject. He must prepare himself well before giving his comments on any topic by going through relevant books, official reports, newspapers, magazines, etc.
A Radio Commentator gives running commentary on events of national importance, sports, festivals, etc over the broadcasting system. He also reviews, and comments upon, events of topical interest, giving background information and correlating views of experts and reaction of laymen in the matter.
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The Foreign Correspondent
A foreign correspondent must know major languages of the world. He should be having a liking for travel. He should be prepared to move to distant places at a short notice, and be capable of keeping away from his home for long periods, if necessary.
He should have more initiative and self-reliance than an ordinary correspondent, as he has to gather news in a foreign country, where he has to develop his contacts. He should be a master of condensation. |
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The Assistant Editor
Assists the editor in his work. He may be assigned the work of the lead writer. He is usually made in-charge of a section in the newspaper. |
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The Editor
An editor edits or directs editing of a newspaper, journal, books, leading articles, etc. and plans layout of the publication. He is the overall in-charge for the publication of a newspaper or periodical . He assigns work to different sections and the staff working under him and deals with important news items himself. In brief, he is responsible for the smooth administration of the establishment. |
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The Cartoonist
He makes sketches of comic or satirical type on political, economic and cultural events. His vehicle of expression is drawing rather than words. |
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The Artist
In a newspaper or magazine, he draws sketches and pictures to illustrate incidents in a story and articles in journals and magazines. He may also design the get-up or layout of a newspaper or magazine.
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Proof Reader
Job of the proof reader is to go through the text, mark corrections to be carried out whether in punctuation or spelling and even grammatical errors. In the current scenario mostly the proof checking is done by the person who contributes and next by the person who finalises or edits the text. |
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The Photographer
In a newspaper or magazine, a photographer takes pictures of current happenings. His work is more arduous than that of a photographer who works in a studio. He has to take pictures of all sorts of places and situations to support the news or coverage of events. |
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The Programme Announcer
A programme announcer announces radio/ television programmes over radio broadcasting and television systems. He has to obtain relevant background information concerning programmes to be broadcast, prepares material for announcements, pinpointing essential and interesting aspects of the programme. |
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The News Reader
A news reader broadcasts or telecasts news from a station of Radio or a television centre. He should possess deep pitched and well-modulated voice and fluency of speech. |
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The Radio Commentator
He broadcasts eye-witness accounts of various important events like important sports events, public meetings, Republic Day programme, etc. |
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The Public Relation Officer
The functions of a Public Relation Officer or Liaison Officer are manifold. He has to present the overall image of the establishment, where he is working, and to project it in a way which not only reveals the functions and activities of the organization but also promotes goodwill and better understanding for it. |
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The Advertisement Writer
An advertisement writer (or copy writer, as he is often called) composes wording of advertisements, either in a descriptive style or in the form of catchy captions and slogans for popularising products, services, establishments, etc. |
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The Freelance Journalist
He contributes to newspapers and magazines, periodically or occasionally, special feature articles on subjects of his choice.
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The Columnist
A columnist reviews events and developments of public interest like sports, political happenings, economic developments, etc. and contributes periodically to newspapers or magazines. |
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The Commentary Writer
His job is to write commentary to describe visuals of a motion picture and to interpret events and visuals. For this he has to study general background of the material to be commented upon. |
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Thus the profession of journalism has considerable glamour about it. A journalist is considered as an intellectual and a spokesman of the public. His writings are instrumental in making and moulding the public opinion. As such he is respected by the public and the authorities. He is invited to various political, social and cultural functions. He is regarded by people at large as a well informed and influential individual. |
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