Journalism Pakistan
Journalism Pakistan
'In A Different Realm' offers a philosophical take on cricket's greatest innings ان اے ڈیفرنٹ ریلم کرکٹ کی عظیم ترین اننگز پر ایک فکری نقطۂ نظر پیش کرتی ہےCoordinated or coincidence? Identical tweets by Pakistani journalists raise eyebrows ہم آہنگی یا محض اتفاق؟ پاکستانی صحافیوں کے ایک جیسے ٹویٹس نے سوالات اٹھا دیےThe PSL paradox: pageantry or progress? پی ایس ایل کا تضاد: دکھاوا یا ترقی؟Sher Afzal Marwat launches personal attacks on journalists after PTI expulsion پی ٹی آئی سے نکالے جانے کے بعد شیر افضل مروت کے صحافیوں پر ذاتی حملےJournalist Sanaullah Khan alleges FIA blocking accounts of YouTubers and families صحافی ثناء اللہ خان کا انکشاف: ایف آئی اے یوٹیوبرز اور ان کے خاندانوں کے اکاؤنٹس بلاک کر رہی ہےA launch in style: Dr. Nauman Niaz unveils 'In A Different Realm' ان اے ڈفرنٹ ریلم کی رونمائی: ڈاکٹر نعمان نیاز کی کتاب Sindhi journalist AD Shar brutally murdered, PFUJ declares three-day mourning سندھی صحافی اے ڈی شر کا بہیمانہ قتل، پی ایف یو جے نے تین روزہ سوگ کا اعلان کر دیاAJK government registers case against newspaper and staff آزاد کشمیر حکومت کا اخبار اور عملے کے خلاف مقدمہJournalist Arzoo Kazmi alleges FIA threats, possible arrest over reporting صحافی آرزو کاظمی کا دعویٰ: ایف آئی اے کی دھمکیاں، رپورٹنگ پر ممکنہ گرفتاری Journalist Farhan Mallick granted bail صحافی فرحان ملک کو ضمانت مل گئیNominations open for IPI’s 2025 Press Freedom Awards آئی پی آئی کے 2025 پریس فریڈم ایوارڈز کے لیے نامزدگیاں شروعGhulam Abbas Shah joins Discover Pakistan as Head of Programming غلام عباس شاہ ڈسکور پاکستان میں ہیڈ آف پروگرامنگ کے طور پر شامل ہو گئے

The path to journalism: What you need to know

 JournalismPakistan.com
 Steve Manuel

The path to journalism: What you need to know

At JournalismPakistan.com, we frequently get requests from students and other individuals interested in knowing how to get started in journalism, the basics of journalism, and the skills needed to become a journalist. Although we try our best to patiently explain the requisites, we usually end up frustrated because journalism is not something you get the hang of overnight. There are no shortcuts, no quick fixes, and, most importantly, as in all professions, either you have it or you don’t; you can’t force it.

Misconceptions About Journalism

Also, there is this bizarre myth that journalism is an action-filled job. Well, most of the time it isn’t. Rather, it’s just plain hard, repetitious work.

Does it Pay Well?

Of course, it does, but for that, you have to be in that 0.005 percent of iconic journalists who reel in the big bucks. It has as much to do with personality, lucky breaks, being exceptionally enterprising, and knowing your job well as anything else. Otherwise, think moderate to comfortable.

One young fellow informed me he wanted to be an anchor because he wanted to be famous. I wished him all the luck. After three years of struggling in a news channel, he now works at a hotel reception. That’s the way it is.

The Reality of Journalism

Journalism is not an easy profession. However, the more you know about what makes it click, the better you are likely to be at it. One has to be dedicated, disciplined, patient, sharp, and enterprising and have a passion for the profession to make the cut. Otherwise, resign yourself to be confined forever to some desk in the newsroom if you’re lucky.

Respect and Recognition

The financial remuneration might not be what you imagined, but you can get plenty of respect and recognition. Indeed that is the fuel that most real journalists run on. But in journalism, as in everything else, there is a starting point.

Ways to Enter Journalism in Pakistan

In Pakistan, there are five ways of ending up in journalism or ‘the media’ as they prefer to call it now:

Apprenticeship: You learn the job on-hand as an apprentice sub or cub reporter.
Education: You get a Master's degree from one of the few local universities that do offer programs in Journalism or Mass Communication and cash in on it.
Family Connections: Your father, uncle, brother, sister, or cousin are already in the business and put in a word for you with the editor/CEO, and you want to follow in their footsteps.
Government Appointment: You are a direct government/political appointee aiming at a quick rise to the top.
Embedded Journalist: You have been planted/embedded by the government, state/military intelligence agencies to promote their agenda and keep an eye on those individuals likely to cause a ripple or don’t agree with those aforementioned agendas.

Learning the Ropes

One way or the other, when an individual enters the newsroom of any newspaper or news channel, he has much to learn. Usually, despite all the degrees, political clout, or directives, newcomers to the newsroom will feel like a fish out of water. They have no firsthand experience and, quite bluntly, know nothing about nothing.

Early Journalism Education

That is why for the media to improve in Pakistan it is essential that journalism is taught at a much earlier stage than the university. High school would be a good start. In Europe and the United States, there are some middle and high schools that have included journalism and mass communication in their curriculum. The result of this has been that students have shown maturity, understanding, and capability far beyond what had been expected.

Student Journalism in the West

Some schools not only have a bi-weekly or monthly newspaper but also weekly live news broadcasts. To say I was surprised by the quality of work from 14-18-year-olds would be putting it mildly. I was impressed, really impressed by their output.

Impressive Student Programs

At one of the schools I visited, Gunderson High School in San Jose, I was amazed to discover that some 30 students had registered for journalism classes. Not only were they learning the basics, history, and associated technology and equipment, but they were independently producing a weekly news bulletin and a newspaper called Paw Print, named after the school mascot, a grizzly.

Learning by Doing

The students get the bulk of their journalistic knowledge from Miss Allana Callaway, who pointed out that many of their students did their research and independently came up with story ideas for the newspaper and broadcasts. The news bulletins are completely directed, edited, and broadcast by students as well.

Firsthand Experience

"What we are doing is learning firsthand all the skills that we will have to put to use when we do enter the real world of journalism, and if not, at least we will have a perfect idea of how the media functions," one journalism student said. Another was quick to add: "Not only is it fun but we learn something new every time we film, edit, and broadcast."

A Wish for Pakistani Schools

I wish we had something like this in Pakistan.

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