Day-to-day, Digital Journalists will be researching, verifying and writing stories, and then sourcing audio and video to illustrate them.
Digital Journalists are specialist journalists who are specifically tasked with creating enhanced news content for online and social media.
This could involve going to the scene of a murder or other breaking news incident like a fire, or it could be as simple as giving people a voice to fight for something they believe in. Digital Journalists will conduct interviews for use on air - but will also create video for social media and will write articles for the website. Nowadays, people hear about breaking news either on social media or on the radio – rather than through the TV or a newspaper – so that’s why this is a crucial role, as these journalists are often the first to break a story.
In journalism, no two days are the same, but a Digital Journalist’s daily tasks might involve:
- Generating story ideas and researching them – online, on the phone, in print or in person
- Liaising with other news team members about stories several times a day
- Following up leads
- Visiting the scene of breaking news
- Preparing and conducting interviews
- Writing articles for use online
- Editing audio and video for use on air and online
- Writing supporting social media content
Who Do They Work With?
- Digital Journalists will probably work as part of a Newsroom team – which may include other Broadcast Journalists, along with producers, and reporters who find and write the stories which make it to air.
- A Digital Journalist is likely to report in to an Editor who will set the daily news agenda and decide what stories to run with.
- In bigger networks, like the BBC or Times Radio, there may be a wider News team which may include TV, print and online output.
You'll be Developing these Skills
- Digital Journalists are intensely curious, with a strong desire to know the truth. They are determined to get to the heart of a story.
- Digital Journalists absorb information quickly and understand how to turn that information into something people can connect with.
- Digital Journalists are fascinated by people and determined to their stories with empathy and sensitivity.
- Digital Journalists need strong interpersonal skills, as they need to get information quickly and efficiently, without ruffling feathers.
- Broadcast Journalists need to be confident communicators with strong writing skills, as they write their own copy.
- Broadcast Journalists need to be technically confident with editing audio and video.
How Do I Get on in the Industry?
Digital Journalists will often have a degree in Journalism, and may likely have a degree in another subject or a postgraduate degree. It is essential that they have a solid understanding of libel, election law and court reporting laws (you can end up facing a big fine or even a jail term if you get that wrong). Some public affairs knowledge is useful – how laws are made, how local and national government work. Work experience can be a great route into this role, and being in the right place at the right time for breaking news is invaluable.
