Journalist
Also called reporter, web editor, commentator
Journalists research, verify and write news stories for newspapers, magazines, television and other broadcast media. They cover political, economic, cultural, social and sport events. Journalists must conform to ethical codes such as freedom of speech and right of reply, press law and editorial standards in order to bring objective information.
What you'd do
Journalists · ILO- Collecting local, national and international news through interviews, investigation and observation, attending public events, seeking out records, reviewing written work, attending film and stage performances
- Collecting, reporting and commenting on news and current affairs for publication in newspapers and periodicals, or for broadcasting by radio, television or webcast media
- Receiving, analysing and verifying news and other copy for accuracy
- Interviewing politicians and other public figures at press conferences and on other occasions, including individual interviews recorded for radio, television or webcast media
- Researching and reporting on developments in specialized fields such as medicine, science and technology
- Writing editorials and commentaries on topics of current interest to stimulate public interest and express the views of a publication or broadcasting station
- Writing critical reviews of literary, musical and other artistic works based on knowledge, judgement and experience for newspapers, television, radio and other media
- Selecting material for publication, checking style, grammar, accuracy and legality of content and arranging for any necessary revisions
- Liaising with production staff in checking final proof copies immediately prior to printing
- Selecting, assembling and preparing publicity material about business or other organizations for issue through press, radio, television and other media
- Indoors
- Sitting most of the day
- Constant contact with people, including the public
- Good freedom to decide
- Often more than 40 hours a week
- Deadlines every day
- Some repetitive tasks
Will there be jobs?
Average prospectsA typical number of jobs will need filling by 2035.
Solid: measured. Dashed: forecast.
What does it pay?
Above averagePay depends a lot on the country: from about €1,800 a month (Bulgaria) to €8,800 (Luxembourg), before tax.
Pick a country at the top of the page to see typical pay there, for people under 30, and compared with all jobs.
Among professionals in the EU, women earn 21% less per hour than men. Professionals · Eurostat
What do I need to study?
Usually a degreeA degree in literature and linguistics is the usual route.
1,154 institutions in the EU offer arts and humanities bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.
Will AI change it?
SignificantlyAI could take on part of most tasks, but none fully.
Average task score 0.54 on a scale from 0 (AI can't do it) to 1 (AI could do it fully).
See the score for each of the 10 tasks
Based on what AI could technically do when assessed in 2025. It is not a forecast for a future year, and not a forecast of job losses. Scores for journalists. Source: ILO (2025), adapted (credits).