Career as a Broadcast Journalist in India: Salary, Courses and How to Begin

Journalism, Publishing & Audio MediaDesign & Digital Media

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At a glance

A broadcast journalist researches, reports, scripts and presents news for TV and radio; many enter through a BA or BJMC in journalism or mass communication after Class 12.

A broadcast journalist is a reporter, scriptwriter or presenter who gathers and delivers news for television and radio channels. The job covers finding stories, reporting from the field, writing scripts and, for some, presenting bulletins on air.

In India, broadcast journalism is usually entered through a graduate degree in journalism or mass communication, such as a BJMC or a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication, followed by internships at news channels, radio stations or digital newsrooms. Public broadcasters such as Doordarshan and All India Radio, along with private news channels, are among the employers.

The work suits people who are curious, speak clearly and handle deadline pressure well. Hours are often irregular, with night, weekend and breaking-news shifts, and entry-level pay is modest until experience builds.

Minimum Qualification
Graduation (usually any stream)
Typical Degree
BJMC or BA Journalism & Mass Communication
Expected Entry Salary
Around ₹2.5 - ₹4 Lakh/year (indicative)
Entry-level to Senior
Several times higher within 10-15 years
Job Demand Growth
Steady; growing digital news roles
Work Hours
Irregular: nights, weekends, breaking news
Places of Work
TV news channels, radio, digital newsrooms

What Does a Broadcast Journalist Do?

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

  • Pitch story ideas to a news editor and agree which stories to cover that day

  • Research the background, check facts and contact sources, officials and eyewitnesses

  • Report from the field, often with a cameraperson, for live or pre-recorded pieces

  • Write scripts and voice-overs that fit the length and pace of a bulletin or programme

  • Conduct interviews on location and in the studio

  • Work with video editors and producers to cut packages and check them against broadcast standards

  • Present or anchor news bulletins, or host discussions, where the role includes on-air work

Where They Work

Most broadcast journalists work in the newsrooms of television news channels and radio stations. Public broadcasters, Doordarshan (including its news services) and All India Radio, employ reporters and presenters. Private news networks such as Network18, and regional-language channels across the country, also hire broadcast journalists.

Some work for digital news platforms that produce video, or for production houses that make documentaries and current-affairs shows. Video journalist roles, where one person shoots, reports and edits, are also common, so it is worth understanding this path when you plan your skills.

How to Become a Broadcast Journalist in India?

After Class 10

Choose a Class 11 and 12 stream you enjoy. Build strong English and Hindi (or your regional language) for reading, writing and speaking. Start following news daily and join school debates, media clubs or the school magazine.

After Class 12

Any stream can lead to a journalism degree, and many students choose Arts or Humanities. Some colleges set a minimum Class 12 mark. Check whether the course is a three-year BA or BJMC and prepare for any entrance test the college uses.

Undergraduate

Complete a three-year BJMC or BA in Journalism and Mass Communication. Learn reporting, news writing, video production and media law. Start building a portfolio with campus news, short video reports and radio pieces.

Internships and Portfolio

Intern at a TV news channel, radio station or digital newsroom during the course, ideally in more than one medium. Keep a portfolio of your best packages, and record clips of your on-camera and on-mic work.

Postgraduate and Specialisation

An MA or MJMC in journalism, or a PG diploma in broadcast journalism, can help for specialised or senior roles and for entry to some national channels. It is not compulsory for every job.

First Job

Entry roles include trainee reporter, sub-editor and production assistant. Expect a trainee salary at first, then move to reporter or correspondent as your track record grows.

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Eligibility and Subjects Required

Stream and Subject Requirements

  • Class 12 in any stream. Arts and Humanities are common, but Commerce and Science students also enter journalism degrees.

  • English and at least one Indian language at a good level for speaking and writing. Hindi or the regional language matters for many roles.

  • Some colleges set a minimum Class 12 aggregate, often around 50 percent, though this varies by institution.

  • Some entrance tests include current affairs, language and general knowledge sections, and some add an interview or group discussion.

Minimum Qualification

  • Graduation (any stream) is the usual minimum for reporter and correspondent roles.

  • A BJMC or BA in Journalism and Mass Communication is the most direct route, though some people enter with other degrees plus a diploma.

  • For presenter roles, voice and on-camera ability are judged through screen tests and auditions, not only on paper.

Courses and Degrees for Broadcast Journalist

  • Undergraduate Degrees
    • BJMC: Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (3 years)
    • BA (Hons) Journalism and Mass Communication (3 years)
    • BA Mass Communication (3 years)
    Postgraduate Degrees
    • MJMC: Master of Journalism and Mass Communication (2 years)
    • MA Journalism and Mass Communication (2 years)
    Diplomas
    • PG Diploma in Broadcast Journalism (1 year)
    • PG Diploma in Television Journalism (1 year)
    Certifications & Short-term Courses
    • Video Journalism and Smartphone Reporting (a few weeks to 3 months)
    • Anchoring and Voice Modulation Workshop (a few days to 2 months)
    • Media Law and Ethics Short Course (a few weeks)

Entrance Exams for Broadcast Journalist

  • Exam
    CUET-UG
    Level
    Undergraduate
    Held
    Once a year (conducted by NTA)
    For Course
    BA and BJMC-type programmes at participating central universities
  • Exam
    IIMC Entrance Examination
    Level
    Postgraduate and Diploma
    Held
    Once a year
    For Course
    PG Diploma in Journalism and related programmes at IIMC campuses
  • Exam
    Jamia Millia Islamia Entrance Test
    Level
    Undergraduate
    Held
    Once a year
    For Course
    BA (Hons) Mass Communication

Top Colleges for Broadcast Journalist

Government Institutes

  • College
    Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC)
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi
  • College
    Makhanlal Chaturvedi National University of Journalism and Communication
    Location
    Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh
  • College
    Jamia Millia Islamia
    Location
    New Delhi, Delhi

Private Institutes

  • College
    Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication
    Location
    Pune, Maharashtra
  • College
    Xavier Institute of Communications, St. Xavier's College
    Location
    Mumbai, Maharashtra
  • College
    Asian College of Journalism
    Location
    Chennai, Tamil Nadu
  • College
    Lovely Professional University
    Location
    Phagwara, Punjab
  • College
    AAFT University
    Location
    Raipur, Chhattisgarh

Skills Required to Become a Broadcast Journalist

Technical Skills

  • Reporting and news writing in short, clear, spoken language
  • Video shooting and basic camera handling, on a camera or smartphone
  • Non-linear video editing on common software
  • Fact-checking and verifying sources, images and social media content
  • Basic audio recording and voice-over work
  • Understanding of media law, ethics and broadcast guidelines
  • Live reporting and working with a teleprompter
  • Working knowledge of digital publishing and short-form video formats

Soft Skills

  • Clear spoken communication and confident on-camera presence
  • Curiosity and the habit of asking follow-up questions
  • Calm under deadline pressure
  • Empathy when interviewing people in difficult situations
  • Teamwork with cameras, editors and producers
  • Ethical judgement and editorial independence

Broadcast Journalist Salary in India

0-2 years

Entry Level

₹2.5 - ₹4 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: trainee reporter, sub-editor, production assistant
  • Work at this level: writing scripts, shadowing reporters, field reporting on smaller stories and logging footage

3-7 years

Mid Level

₹5 - ₹10 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: reporter, correspondent, news producer, regional or digital anchor
  • Work at this level: owning stories and packages, leading field assignments, presenting bulletins and handling interviews

8+ years

Senior Level

₹12 - ₹25 Lakh/annum

  • Typical job titles: senior correspondent, senior anchor, executive producer, bureau chief
  • Work at this level: setting editorial direction, leading coverage of major events, mentoring teams and managing bureaus or shows

Career Opportunities and Job Roles

News Reporter

Covers local, state or national stories for TV or radio and files packages for bulletins.

News Anchor / Presenter

Presents news bulletins on air and may lead studio discussions.

Field Correspondent

Reports from a city, state or specialist beat, often on developing stories.

Video Journalist (VJ)

Shoots, reports and edits stories alone or in a small team, common in digital news.

News Scriptwriter

Writes scripts and voice-overs for bulletins, features and current-affairs shows.

News Producer

Plans running orders, selects stories and coordinates reporters, editors and studio staff.

Scope and Future of Broadcast Journalist in India

Demand for broadcast journalists follows how people consume news. Television and radio remain important sources of news, and regional-language channels reach large audiences. Public and private broadcasters both hire reporters, producers and presenters, and digital news platforms that publish video on websites and social media are adding roles.

Newsrooms have changed quickly with smartphones and online distribution. Many channels now expect reporters to shoot and edit their own stories, so journalists who can work across screen, audio and online formats have wider options. Editorial standards, fact-checking and media law remain central, which makes verification and ethics skills valuable. Public broadcasting services such as Doordarshan and All India Radio run news in many languages, which keeps public-sector entry points open.

Opportunities abroad exist for experienced journalists, often through international news networks, foreign-language services or media serving Indian diaspora audiences. These usually need a strong portfolio, language skills and some experience in India first, so it is best to build a track record at home before planning an overseas move.

Is Broadcast Journalist
the Right Career for You?

Broadcast Journalist can be an exciting career, but the right choice depends on more than academic eligibility.

Interests

What excites you?

Aptitude

What are you good at?

Personality

How do you work?

Work Preferences

What kind of environment suits you?

Discover careers that match your interests, strengths and preferences.

See how well this career fits you

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Broadcast Journalist: Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a broadcast journalist and a print journalist?

A broadcast journalist makes news for television and radio, so the work is built around pictures, sound and tight deadlines. Scripts are written to be spoken aloud, and reports are often shot and edited quickly. A print journalist writes for newspapers or magazines, where space and layout matter more than timing. Many journalists move between the two, and digital newsrooms now ask for both skills.

Can I become a broadcast journalist after Class 12?

Yes. You can start a three-year BJMC or BA in Journalism and Mass Communication after Class 12, from any stream. Some colleges set a minimum Class 12 mark or use entrance tests, so check each college's rules early. Build your English and regional-language skills, practise speaking on camera, and look for internships in your first or second year. Entry-level work usually comes after the degree.

Is a BJMC better than a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication?

Both can lead to similar careers. The BJMC is a professional degree in journalism and mass communication, while a BA in Journalism and Mass Communication is an arts-based degree with a different course mix. Syllabus, studio and newsroom facilities, internships and placement records differ between colleges. Compare these before deciding, because practical access often matters more than the name of the degree.

How much does a broadcast journalist earn in India?

Pay varies with the employer, city, language and experience. As an indicative range, entry-level journalists may earn around ₹2.5 to ₹4 lakh a year. Mid-level reporters and producers may earn more, and senior anchors or bureau heads at large channels can earn considerably more. Trainee roles are often paid less. Check current offers in your city, because pay is not set by a single national scale.

Do broadcast journalists need to look a certain way to get on TV?

Presenter roles are judged mainly on clarity, voice, presence and how well you read and deliver news on camera. Reporting and scriptwriting roles are judged on research, writing and field skill. Many channels hold screen tests and voice tests. Appearance and grooming can matter for on-screen work, but skills count most. Practise reading aloud, record yourself, and ask a mentor for honest feedback.

Are there good jobs for broadcast journalists in regional languages?

Yes. Regional-language news channels, radio stations and digital news services across India employ reporters, anchors and producers. Fluency in a regional language, along with English for national networks, can open more doors. Newsrooms value local knowledge and contacts, so a strong regional-language profile is a real advantage for many entry-level roles.

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