Bring More Objectivity to the News: A Career for Future Storytellers

As a journalist or reporter, you can shape how people understand and process the events shaping our world. From local happenings to global issues, current events influence individual perspectives, making the news essential for providing context and fostering understanding.

Journalism is more than just delivering headlines. It’s about diving deep, conducting interviews, performing detailed research, and uncovering the stories we need to tell. Journalists ensure that the information they share is clear, precise, and impactful.

In today’s world, dominated by social media and unreliable sources, misinformation spreads faster than ever. That’s why the commitment to truth and accuracy in journalism is not just important — it’s vital. As a future journalist, you could be at the forefront of maintaining this integrity, shaping narratives, and making a meaningful difference in how we all see the world.

If you’re passionate about storytelling, curious about uncovering the truth, and ready to make an impact, consider how journalism could be your path to doing just that.

The Dire Need for More Black Journalists

According to a 2018 analysis from the Pew Research Center, approximately three-quarters of newsroom employees are non-Hispanic White, with nearly half being White men. The United States urgently needs more black journalists to achieve proportional and equitable representation in this influential field. Black journalists are essential not only for justice but for accuracy in news, ensuring that more than a single perspective is considered and p[resented to the public.

Now and throughout U.S. history, African American representation has been vital due to its significant potential to expose, address, and work toward eliminating persistent racial injustices. Striving for a more equitable demographic representation in journalism can yield the following advantages:

Diverse perspectives and coverage. The lack of Black journalists in the industry has led to a comparative absence of diverse perspectives in news coverage. Black journalists bring essential insights and understanding that may otherwise be lacking in a disproportionately White field. A newsroom with more Black professionals can cover topics with greater authority, knowledge, and empathy than others may be able, from art critique to political and police news. Black journalists can bring recognition to issues, movements, arts, and concepts long denied mainstream coverage by predominantly White journalists.

Challenging the status quo. The traditional newsroom culture often supports a status quo that may (intentionally or inadvertently) favor White, upper or middle-class perspectives. This approach usually caters to and reinforces those values while ignoring and, by implication, devaluing others. Black journalists challenge this by bringing different viewpoints and experiences to the table. They can help diversify investigative teams, challenge assumptions about bias and objectivity, and contribute to more impactful, accurate reporting.

Addressing racial divides. Research has shown that Black and White news consumers often have divergent views of the media, which contribute to social and political rifts. The underrepresentation of African Americans as newsroom employees has led to a disconnect between news organizations and Black viewers, who often feel misunderstood by the media. Increasing the number of Black journalists can create a more inclusive media landscape — and possibly more united viewers.

Interested in making the field of journalism — and by extension, society as a whole — more just? Here’s what you need to know about various career types and how to prepare for them.

Career Types and Profession Outlook

Journalism has expanded beyond traditional broadcast radio, television, cable networks, and print media platforms. Today, journalists can choose from a diverse array of media and work environments. Many professionals work across multiple formats, including podcasts, websites, social media platforms, streaming services, and even personal blogs.

Although employers anticipate an approximate 9% decline in job growth for journalism from 2021 to 2031, about 4,900 job openings are expected annually. Additionally, related fields such as editing, public relations, film and video editing, and camera operation offer alternative career opportunities for those with media expertise.

New York, California, Texas, Florida, and Georgia have the highest employment rates in journalism. The District of Columbia, New York, Connecticut, Georgia, and New Jersey are the highest-paying states for those seeking top salaries.

Careers in Journalism

Graduates in this field may pursue careers in a wide variety of capacities. Some of these include:

Feature writer
Art or film critic
TV reporter
Associate producer
Broadcast assistant
Syndicated columnist
Social media consultant
Consumer relations representative
Media relations specialist
Editor (copy, design, or film)
Videographer
Field correspondent

College students working in campus television studio

Virginia Union University

Fields of Journalism by Medium

One way to define journalism fields is by the medium. The following fields of journalism require similar reporting and storytelling skills, but disseminate the information differently:

Print/Online Journalism: These journalists write articles and blogs for print or online publications, such as newspapers and magazines.
Broadcast Journalism: Reporters who share news through television, radio, or online video or audio work as broadcast journalists. Print or online journalists may focus more on writing skills, but broadcast journalists may have more technical video and audio production skills.
Photojournalism: Photojournalists tell stories through photos. The photos may accompany written stories or stand on their own.
Multimedia Journalism: Multimedia journalists combine written, broadcast, and photographic journalism to create interactive and engaging stories online.

Each field utilizes unique tools and platforms but shares the core goals of reporting facts, engaging audiences, and telling impactful stories.

Types of Journalism Writing and Reporting by Content

Another way to divide journalistic fields is by focus rather than medium:

News Journalism: Journalists in this category report on events from crime to politics locally,nationally, or internationally.
Feature Journalism: Feature journalists write stories that are generally longer than news stories, allowing them to explore a topic more deeply.
Investigative Journalism: Investigative journalists work to uncover secrets with their work, often corruption and fraud in politics or business.
Columnists: These are journalists who, among other potential focuses, offer recurring content on a given topic for a publication. They may review or analyze businesses, organizations, or politics and may be featured on TV shows, radio programs, newspapers, and more. Columnists’ work often focuses more on opinion or analysis than news, but still requires a deep understanding of journalism and current events.
Data Journalism: Data journalism is an emerging field that involves finding trends and data that tell a larger story.

HBCUs Can Help You Start a Career in Journalism

Given the recent Supreme Court ruling on affirmative action in college admissions, more Black students may turn to historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) for their education. These institutions will do everything they can to meet increased student demand. HBCUs help more students earn college degrees, compete successfully for well-paying jobs in competitive career fields, improve workforce diversity, and increase upward economic mobility.

People of all ages, races, and life paths can help improve diversity in American journalistic disciplines by supporting scholarships and other funding for HBCUs with related programs. By donating today, you can make a difference in the lives of journalism students in one easy step.

Want to learn more about this possible career path and college major? Have questions about which UNCF colleges and universities offer journalism programs? Looking for help with financing this degree?

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Preparing for Success in Journalism

If you excel in verbal and written communication and possess a sharp eye for detail, a career in journalism could be your calling. Successful journalists persist through challenges, uncover critical information, and share important stories with the public. Thriving in this field requires solid research and organizational skills, logical reasoning, a strong sense of ethics, digital savvy, and a natural curiosity about problem-solving.

To prepare for a future in journalism during high school, get involved in activities that build your skills and passion. Join the yearbook or newspaper club to hone your writing and editing abilities, or participate in the debate team to develop your critical thinking and public speaking skills. If you’re interested in broadcast journalism, take the initiative to volunteer for your school’s morning announcements or join similar media programs.

Additionally, make it a habit to follow trustworthy news sources and closely analyze how your favorite journalists deliver high-quality reporting. By observing their techniques, you can learn what makes their storytelling effective and impactful, setting the stage for your success in the field.

Headshot of Wiley University female student television reporter

UNCF Schools to Consider

These UNCF-member schools and more offer programs for studies in journalism or mass communication:

Professional Organizations

There are many organizations in various fields of journalism that can offer more insight into working in these professions. A sample list includes:

Scholarships Available

There’s no better way to start on your path toward a successful career in journalism than with a solid financial foundation. Fortunately, many scholarships are available through UNCF, including some specifically for journalism majors. Keep an eye on the UNCF website for current scholarship opportunities and announcements.

You can search for specific scholarships and view those currently accepting applications here. Students should also check with each college, university, and professional organization to see if additional scholarships are available for studying journalism.

As you explore your options, use our guide to apply for scholarships and grants. You can also receive guidance by submitting a major interest form if you are interested in a career in journalism. Submit the form on our website to get started. Follow us on UNCF’s social media channels to receive notifications about our scholarships and member HBCUs. Reach out today!

Contributing to UNCF member schools shows your support for students pursuing careers and furthering equity in journalism. Education is the greatest tool for creating a just and equitable society where truth reigns, and economic mobility is available to all. Help us achieve this future by donating today!