INTRODUCTION
In today's fast-moving society, the role of mass media increases in importance as it updates the public on the latest developments locally and around the world. Journalism provides an opportunity for those interested in current affairs to report on the latest news. Newspapers, magazines, televisions and radios are some of the media people turn to in their quest for updated news and information. There is therefore, an abundance of job opportunities in the field of journalism and broadcasting.

JOB DESCRIPTION
Careers in this field include:

(a) Reporter (Correspondent, Foreign Correspondent, Leader/Feature Writer)
- May be attached to different 'desks' e.g. News, Economics, Politics, Life, Education or Sports.
- Gathers information through research, personal interviews and on-scene observations.
- Presents or writes articles in the most interesting way possible from information collected.
- Has to write in an economical style using simple language.
- May be employed as a 'beat' reporter i.e. to specialise in fields like health, property or sports.
- May specialise in leader writing, where one produces editorials commenting on current issues.
- May be employed as a foreign correspondent to report on events in the foreign country where one is stationed.
- Attends press conferences, meetings and events.

(b) Editor
- Selects and prepares materials for publication or broadcasting.
- Supervises writers.
- Plans the contents and layout of magazines, newspapers or books.
- Assigns appealing topics to reporters or writers.
- Hires writers, reporters or other employees.
- Plans budgets and negotiates contracts with freelance writers.
- Reviews, rewrites and edits the work of writers.
- Prepares manuscripts for production, liaising with the production and proof-reading departments.

(c) Sub-Editor
- Edits journalists' work, looking for fairness, balance and accuracy.
- Checks language of write-up.
- Writes headlines/captions that are accurate and catchy.
- Looks for appropriate pictures and graphics to accompany articles.
- Responsible for page layout.

(d) Proof-Reader
- Reads typeset proofs and computer printouts to find and rectify any errors before final printing.
- Checks the final version for errors in grammar, punctuation or spelling.
- Ensures that text in all the artwork is correct.
- Uses special symbols and markings to inform printers of any corrections or changes.
- Inspects the corrected proofs from the printer to ensure that changes have been made.

(e) Publisher
- Engages writers, designers and photographers if required.
- Liaises with sales and marketing personnel.
- Organises promotional activities for publications.
- Maintains contacts with book and magazine wholesalers and retailers.
- Maintains an accounting system.
- Co-ordinates the circulation and distribution of publications.

(f) Translator
- Studies text and translates it to another language while maintaining its original meaning.
- Ensures that all terminology used is legal, acceptable and accurate.

(g) Artist (Cartoonist, Illustrator, Infographic Artist)
- Produces cartoons, illustrations and graphics to add impact to stories.
- May produce drawings either free hand or using a computer.
- Works closely with reporters to conceptualise images for stories.
- Translates salient points of stories into vivid and attractive visuals.
- Can create own comic strips for the newspapers.

(h) Photographer
- Catches newsworthy events using cameras and a variety of lenses, filters, lighting systems and reflectors.
- Covers events that are scheduled and that are unpredictable like accidents and catastrophes.
- Should be alert and ready to rush to a scene to get photos and snapshots.

(i) Broadcast Journalist
- Keeps viewers/listeners informed of local and foreign events.
- Employed to be on site to bring in the news.
- Researches, interviews and writes news.
- Can either be reporting or editing.
- Reports on location, covers events on the spot and may have to direct camera crew as well.

(j) Radio Broadcaster (Producer, Presenter)
- Plays songs, updates the public on the latest news and information.
- Provides entertaining chit-chat sessions.
- Collates news, current affairs and other information for reporting, arranges recorded soundtrack for transmission and reports on the weather forecast and traffic conditions.
- Arranges and reads news script in advance to avoid mistakes during transmissions.
- Organises the transmission of news, announcements and advertisements.

(k) TV Producer
- Nurtures a production, watches it take shape until it ends up on the screen.
- Co-ordinates with other production crew members on camera angles, lighting, sound, location etc.
- Ensures the 'smooth running of production'.
- Selects cast.
- Conducts screen tests and auditions for actors and actresses.

(l) Video Editor
- Puts video-recorded shots in sequence on a video tape.
- Adds or overlays a recorded voice narration, music and audio/visual effects.
- Works closely with the producer and scriptwriter.
- Needs to know the main messages in the script and who the target viewers are.

(m) Advertising and Promotions Executive
- Plans and carries out advertising campaigns for a product or service effectively and efficiently.
- Understands the complexity of different advertising media, print and video production techniques, copywriting, event management and deals with people at different levels.
- Tries to be different from competitors.

(n) Art Director
- Conceptualises ideas behind an advertising campaign.
- Works closely with the copywriter in brainstorming for ideas.
- Checks colour proofs and artwork before authorising for printing.
- Needs to have some marketing knowledge and presentation skills in order to sell ideas to clients