Journalist Job Description
Use this template to create a clear, professional job advert for a journalist who will report, write and publish content across print, digital and multimedia channels.
What does a Journalist professional do?
A journalist researches, verifies and writes news and feature copy for one or more platforms; they develop sources, meet tight deadlines and work within editorial and legal standards.
Journalist job description template
Use this employer-ready example as a starting point, then replace the placeholders and adjust the content so it accurately reflects your vacancy.
Journalist
About the role
[Insert Company Name] is seeking a Journalist to research, write and produce accurate, engaging copy for our [print/online/broadcast] output. You will pitch stories, conduct interviews, verify facts, and work with editors, photographers and producers to publish content that informs and engages our audience. This is a [full-time/part-time/freelance] role based in [Insert Location]. Salary: [Insert Salary Range].
Key responsibilities
- Research, develop and pitch news and feature ideas relevant to the audience or beat.
- Interview sources, gather evidence, verify facts and attribute information correctly.
- Write clear, accurate copy to tight deadlines for the assigned platform(s), including headlines and standfirsts.
- Prepare and edit multimedia elements such as photos, video clips and social posts or work with colleagues who produce them.
- Upload and format copy in the CMS and add appropriate metadata, links and images.
- Maintain and grow a network of contacts and sources in the assigned area.
- Respond to corrections and follow up stories as necessary to maintain accuracy and trust.
- Work with editors to shape coverage, meet editorial standards and observe legal obligations (libel, privacy, copyright).
Essential skills and experience
- Proven experience producing journalistic copy with published clips or a portfolio of work.
- Excellent writing, research and interviewing skills, with a clear news sense.
- Strong editorial judgement and a reliable approach to source verification and accuracy.
- Ability to meet frequent deadlines and manage multiple stories at different stages.
- Familiarity with digital publishing workflows and basic CMS usage.
- Sound knowledge of editorial ethics and UK media law relevant to journalism.
Desirable
- Experience producing short-form video or audio for digital platforms.
- Comfortable using social media to build audience and promote stories.
- Specialist knowledge of a beat (politics, health, finance, sport, education etc.).
- Experience with analytics tools and optimising content for search and engagement.
- A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in journalism, media or communications.
What we offer
- [Placeholder: Pension scheme details]
- [Placeholder: Annual leave entitlement]
- [Placeholder: Professional development / training budget]
- [Placeholder: Flexible / hybrid working options]
- [Placeholder: Travel / subsistence allowances where required]
- [Placeholder: Equipment provision (laptop, phone, camera where applicable)]
How to apply
Apply with your CV and any additional information requested. Make the interview process, closing date and any assessment stages clear where known.
Use this as a starting point rather than a final advert. The strongest version will reflect the real role, salary, location, systems, responsibilities, benefits and working arrangements.
What is a Journalist role?
Journalists research, write and present news and feature content for newspapers, magazines, websites, podcasts or broadcast outlets. They develop sources, verify information, and package stories to meet editorial objectives and audience needs. The role requires strong writing skills, sound judgement on legal and ethical matters, and the ability to work to tight deadlines across multiple platforms.
Deadline-driven
Work to frequent time constraints; prioritisation and speed with accuracy are essential.
Story production
From pitch to publication: research, interviews, writing, editing and metadata.
Multiplatform
Produce or coordinate text, images, video and social posts for different audiences.
Typical Journalist responsibilities
Responsibilities should reflect the real scope of the vacancy rather than every task someone in this profession might ever complete.
Research
Research, develop and pitch news and feature ideas relevant to the audience or beat.
Interview sources
Interview sources, gather evidence, verify facts and attribute information correctly.
Write clear
Write clear, accurate copy to tight deadlines for the assigned platform(s), including headlines and standfirsts.
Prepare
Prepare and edit multimedia elements such as photos, video clips and social posts or work with colleagues who produce them.
Upload
Upload and format copy in the CMS and add appropriate metadata, links and images.
Maintain
Maintain and grow a network of contacts and sources in the assigned area.
Respond
Respond to corrections and follow up stories as necessary to maintain accuracy and trust.
Work with editors
Work with editors to shape coverage, meet editorial standards and observe legal obligations (libel, privacy, copyright).
Journalist skills and experience to look for
Keep the essential list focused on what the person really needs to perform the role. Move useful-but-trainable experience into desirable criteria.
Usually worth prioritising
- Proven experience producing journalistic copy with published clips or a portfolio of work.
- Excellent writing, research and interviewing skills, with a clear news sense.
- Strong editorial judgement and a reliable approach to source verification and accuracy.
- Ability to meet frequent deadlines and manage multiple stories at different stages.
- Familiarity with digital publishing workflows and basic CMS usage.
- Sound knowledge of editorial ethics and UK media law relevant to journalism.
Useful where relevant
- Experience producing short-form video or audio for digital platforms.
- Comfortable using social media to build audience and promote stories.
- Specialist knowledge of a beat (politics, health, finance, sport, education etc.).
- Experience with analytics tools and optimising content for search and engagement.
- A relevant degree or postgraduate qualification in journalism, media or communications.
See our guide to what to include in a job advert before publishing.
How to write a Journalist job advert
Small role-specific details can make the advert much easier for suitable candidates to assess.
Lead with the news hook
Start an advert with the story angle the role will cover (beat, audience or remit) so candidates quickly see the job’s focus.
Ask for specific clips
Request 2–4 recent published pieces or a link to a portfolio rather than a generic writing sample.
Be clear about platforms
Specify whether the role needs broadcast, print, online or multimedia experience to avoid unsuitable applicants.
State the output expectations
Give a realistic indication of typical shift patterns, daily story targets or on-call duties.
Highlight development
Mention editorial support, training or opportunities to progress to attract mid-career journalists.
Journalist salary considerations
Journalist pay varies widely. Set expectations in your advert by explaining the factors that will determine the salary or rate rather than quoting a single market figure.
depending on experience
- Use a genuine range
- Separate variable pay
- Avoid “competitive” alone
- Match salary to seniority
What Journalist candidates will want to know
Practical details can influence whether a suitable candidate applies, even when the title and salary are attractive.
What editorial remit and beat will this role cover?
Candidates want to know the topics, audience and scope of their reporting responsibilities before applying.
What are the typical working hours and shift patterns?
Journalism often involves early starts, evenings or weekend shifts; state expectations for out-of-hours work and on-call duties.
Is this a staff position, fixed-term contract or freelance role?
Clarify employment status, contract length and whether there is potential for renewal or permanent appointment.
Is remote or hybrid working available?
Explain where reporting must be done in-person (e.g. newsroom, events) and where remote work is acceptable.
What support is provided for training and development?
Candidates often look for mentoring, editorial feedback and funding for courses or conferences.
What equipment and expenses are provided or reimbursed?
State whether the employer supplies laptops, cameras, phones and how travel or subsistence is handled.
Where to post a Journalist job
Journalist vacancies perform well across a mix of channels. Use national and regional job boards for broad reach, specialist media and journalism sites to target experienced reporters, and professional networks (LinkedIn, editorial forums) to attract niche talent. Local channels, press associations and university alumni groups are useful for entry-level or region-specific roles.
Journalist job description FAQs
Should I advertise for a staff journalist or hire freelancers?
Decide based on workload predictability and budget. Staff hires suit ongoing local coverage and editorial consistency; freelancers provide flexibility for short-term projects or specialist investigations.
How long should the advert be?
Keep the advert concise — a short opening paragraph describing the remit, a clear list of responsibilities and essentials, then a brief section on benefits and how to submit clips. Aim for 250–400 words.
What should I ask applicants to submit?
Request a CV, 2–4 recent published clips or a portfolio link, a short cover note explaining relevant experience and availability. For multimedia roles, ask for hosted video/audio samples.
Do journalists need a degree?
A degree can be helpful but is not essential. Employers often prioritise published experience, strong clips and demonstrable reporting skills over formal qualifications.
What checks should I perform before hiring?
Standard pre-employment checks include right-to-work verification, references and, where relevant, background checks for roles involving vulnerable people. Ensure candidates understand any legal or editorial training requirements.
Ready to hire a Journalist?
Customise this template with your organisation’s details, list the most important clips you want to see, and choose the advertising channels that match the role’s specialist needs to attract suitable candidates.
