Many looking for entry level jobs in news don't know what to expect. Here are the cons of television news careers including how much entry level reporters make.
Finely coiffed and meticulously dressed news reporters appear poised and polished. Their jobs seem important, well paying and easy. Perhaps that is why thousands of would be journalists graduate journalism schools every year eager to start careers in journalism. Here is the reality they face.
How Hard Are Careers in Journalism?
For every entry level reporter job there are hundreds of applicants. Every news director's office has stacks of unwatched resume tapes. Mark Glaser of PBS.org Mediashift says "you can’t help but notice the seemingly constant stream of layoffs and buyouts at news organizations." There are more unemployed journalists vying for fewer jobs.
Entry Level Jobs in News
Entry level reporters fantasize about getting TV news jobs in exciting locations like Los Angeles, San Francisco or Miami. Some aspire to the big time of New York, Chicago or network news. The reality is that most television news reporter jobs are in small television markets. These are places you never heard of and few people want to live. Careers in journalism that end up in great markets require years toiling in the small ones.
What Kind of Hours Do Entry Level Reporters Work?
Broadcast news is not a 9 to 5 job. Forget working a 40 hour week. Most television news reporter jobs are salaried so it costs stations the same to work a reporter 80 hours as it does 40. The US Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics says "their work demands long hours, irregular schedules, and some travel." Reporters are also expected to work holidays.
How Much Do Entry Level Reporters Make?
It is easy to point to the network anchor making millions of dollars a year and assume that TV news jobs pay well. A 2007 RTNDA survey finds that average television news reporter jobs pay $35,600 a year. The average anchor $72,400. Keep in mind that average reporters and anchors have careers in journalism that span years. Entry level reporters can make as little as $10,000!
Cons of Television News Careers and Fame
It may seem cool to be recognized as a big shot in the television news business. The reality is that fame can be really annoying. Viewers tend to assume they can intrude on reporters lives because they see them on TV. Some will tell reporters that they look heavier, shorter or less attractive in person. It can also be dangerous. In 1995 reporter Jodi Huisentruit was abducted on her way to work at KIMT-TV, in Mason City, Iowa. She was never seen again.
Any Job Security in the Television News Business?
Nope. TV news jobs usually come with contracts but they tend to protect the stations more than the reporter. Contracts contain all sorts of clauses that allow stations to get rid of them on a whim. One of the most important tips for entry level reporters to learn is that everyone eventually loses their job so they should prepare for it. The only defense against being fired is to find another job first.
Is The Television News Business Really Saving the World?
Many pursue careers in journalism because they believe they are serving a public good. The truth is most TV news stories are filler. The television news business covers a lot of weather, meetings and festivals. Occasionally someone breaks a meaningful investigative story, but newscasts need to be filled with other stuff too.
TV News Jobs Can Be Rewarding but Entry Level Reporters Must Understand What They Are Getting Into.
Only the most determined survive.
The copyright of the article The Truth About TV News Jobs in Film/TV Industry is owned by Kent Ninomiya. Permission to republish The Truth About TV News Jobs in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I am so happy that someone has finally told the truth about the television
news journalism business! I started as a reporter in 1972. I was one of
the first "black female" news anchors in the town I grew up in.
My parents, especially my father, thought I made a heap of
money, just because they could see me on television every day! He waited
for me, virtually every pay day, with his hand out, muttering about how
much they "sacrificed" for me, and how I could "never pay
him back". People thought that they could become "overly
familiar" with me, just because I came into their living rooms,
delivering the news on a popular television station.
I made
100 dollars a week! I worked from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m., and was
constantly on call, all while trying to obtain a degree in Journalism from
the local university!
Because this was a television station,
in the "deep south", I faced discriminating, racially vehement
behavior from colleagues and viewers who felt the white male dominated
field of television, was not for minorities, black, female, or otherwise!
Many viewers, especially black females, were openly hostile.
The white females, many who worked with me, were just as hostile, but in
an unduly underhanded way by spreading rumors, or claiming that someone
"disrespected" them. The white males who supervised or worked
with me, constantly complained or tried to find fault, in a discriminatory
manner, despite my winning national awards!
I was constantly
asked to shoot, write, edit, and report my own stories as a "one man
band". At the same time, I was expected to be glamourous! Remember,
I was a TV News Anchor and Reporter! I never knew from one day to another,
if I was going to have a job the next day. I was constantly in fear of
being fired, replaced, or a casualty due to a station being sold or
reorganized!
I eventually moved to a northern city and worked as
a Radio Personality. This was even worse, because at the time, anybody,
rappers just out of jail for instance, could become a radio disc jockey!
The average person listening, thought that being a DJ, meant just talking
and spinning records!
Even though people have more respect for
television news journalists, the average person thinks it is an easy,
well-paying job. Nothing could be further from the truth!
I
glad somebody has finally written a book about it, and is warning young
people about this ridiculously difficult, low paying, stressful career
choice!
Nov 14, 2008 11:08 AM
Guest
:
I'm young, and my dream is to be a reporter, but I'm a bit scared. You have
to work holidays?! JEEEZ! What about Christmas? and New Years? Oh well,
I';; just have to get over it. Wish me luck(:
Nov 25, 2008 1:12 PM
Guest
:
I have been in the business for about 10 years. I continue to have
problems regarding the content of news we are putting on the air. Most of
it is nonsense and I'm responsible for delivering it. I have often said TV
news anchoring/reporting is for puppets and those who can handle being a
muzzle. I got into it with a totally different perception. You don't
have any of your own time. Period. I've worked ALL holidays for the past
seven years. I'm on call, even on my days off. I have made it into the
six figures and it still isn't worth it. I'm seeking something more
gratifying and something that is being used for the greater good. I also
want to be treated well, newsrooms are no place for that- at least most of
them. I do have a very good friend in the business and she landed in a
terrific shop- they still believe in telling stories. They give the
reporters time to actually dissect the story. They take viewer feedback
seriously and people respect her and each other. That is a dream shop. I
have several other friends in the biz- who are on the brink of either
quitting or having a nervous breakdown. What a shame because we have
to power to truly impact this world.
Mar 8, 2009 1:28 PM
Guest
:
I just graduated from college last year and I been having trouble finding a
job as a T.V. reporter. I have an accent and get nailed for that and there
are no jobs. I been told to quit trying and I refuse to listen to them. It
is my dream and if I don't get to do it in English then I will find it in
Spanish. I really admire all the reporters and anchors out there because
they are hard working people that never gave up. I am not giving up. I am
going to keep trying till they see my potential and my skills and I become
a reporter.
Apr 18, 2009 5:01 AM
Guest
:
I am in this Industry since last ten years. when i was planning to
enter in this fray many well wishers told me the same. I am an engg by
qualification from India. but i choose this profession. Presently I am
setteled at good position well paid off. But still I agree with you 100
percent. Because I think I was just lucky nothing else. God was with me and
IS.
May 20, 2009 9:51 PM
Guest
:
im doing a report on possibly becoming a news reporter and I think you just
shut that door forever. However I think that the truth should be told about
every profession and those that are truly passionate about it will continue
on and hopefully succeed.
Jul 11, 2008
