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Broadcast Journalism

Program Description

Just the Facts

Broadcast Journalism. A program that focuses on the methods and techniques for reporting, producing, and delivering news and news programs via radio, television, and video/film media; and that prepares individuals to be professional broadcast journalists, editors, producers, directors, and managers. Includes instruction 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.

This program is available in these options:

  • Certificate / Diploma
  • Associate degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree

High School Courses

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this career cluster:

See the high school courses recommended for programs in this pathway:



Additional Information

Training in broadcasting will teach you a lot, but it likely won't make you a TV news anchor right away. In fact, many broadcasting graduates work behind the scenes.

Some programs have a technical focus. They train you to operate the equipment used in radio and television broadcasting. These are usually two-year associate's degree programs at community colleges.

Other programs may concentrate more on reporting skills for broadcast media, although they also provide some technical know-how. These tend to be three- or four-year degree programs offered by university journalism schools.

"Radio students learn about radio operations, radio announcing, current events, commercial production, business writing, commercial copywriting, organizational behavior, statistics and law," says Brian Antonson. He is the associate dean of broadcast communications at a technical institute.

"Television focuses on television equipment and procedures, production planning, visual fundamentals, and things like that."

Other courses may include radio announcing, radio news and broadcast law. You might also cover topics like computer use in television, video production, audio editing and video editing.

Broadcasting programs may include an internship or co-op placement. You'll take several workshop or practical courses.

Patrick Galenza is chair of the radio and television program at a technical institute. He says that at his school, students' workload in the first semester is made up of about 80 percent classroom study and 20 percent practical work.

It shifts to 60 percent lecture work and 40 percent practical work in the second semester. By the time a student reaches the fourth semester, the work is 100 percent practical, he says.

But students will still need to study for the lecture courses. Jamie Litty used to teach communication arts at Ashland University in Ohio. She says you'll need to spend a least an hour studying for every hour spent in class.

Litty says high school students should concentrate on writing, theater and computer-related courses. To be a journalist, a student should also pay attention to history, social studies, science and English.

Some extracurricular activities can also be a good foundation for this field. Taking part in school plays -- either on the stage or behind the scenes -- can be beneficial.

Students should also look into part-time work or a volunteer position at a local radio or television station.


Links

Occupational Outlook Handbook
For more information related to this field of study, see: Announcers

Broadcast FAQs
Find the answers to questions about the broadcast industry

The Federal Communications Commission
Website of the organization that oversees broadcasting in the U.S.