Journalism
Debates rage about the future of journalism. Who can call themselves a journalist? Can new business models be found to sustain journalism within media organisations? It is difficult to predict the future with confidence, however it is possible to identify trends in terms of the knowledge and skills which media organisations look for when employing journalists, and which some journalists are utilising in order to develop new businesses.
These Standards reflect those trends. The Standards have many uses but they are principally designed to help new and established journalists identify the knowledge and skills they require to prosper; and to inform education and training provision so that it meets industry needs.
National Occupational Standards (Standards) provide a clear, up to date description of what an individual needs to be able do in order to perform a job successfully. The Standards have been developed over a number of years by both people who work in the industry and experts from each occupational area through a process of investigation, analysis and consultation with a wide range of people.
You may wish to download the entire suite of Standards, but it is also possible to download individual units.
Download the entire suite of Standards:
National Occupational Standards for Journalism
Download individual units:
J1 understand the practice of journalism in the UK media
J2 understand the market, consumers and audiences for editorial content
J4 comply with media regulation and organisational codes of conduct
J5 maintain up-to-date general and specialist knowledge
J6 contribute to creativity and innovation in journalism
J7 originate and develop ideas for editorial content
J8 work to a brief for editorial content
J9 undertake research and gather information
J11 prepare for and conduct interviews
J13 report on government and politics in the UK
J17 write for online distribution
J19 write promotional material for editorial content
J23 acquire content for publication
J24 prepare for location reporting
J27 design and produce page layout
J28 manage the print production process
J29 contribute to the design and development of a website
J32 edit material for online distribution
J33 deliver content from a radio or TV studio
J34 develop voice and presentation skills
J35 evaluate the success of editorial content
J36 develop productive working relationships with colleagues
J37 network and communicate with external contacts
J38 create and pitch editorial content for freelance commission
J39 manage and market yourself as a freelancer
J40 work in challenging or hostile environments
X2 Ensure your own actions reduce risks to health and safety
X3 Conduct an assessment of risks in the workplace
X4 Develop procedures to control risks to health and safety
For further details please contact standards@skillset.org or 020 7713 9800.
Please note that the Journalism Standards(2010) are the most up to date Standards for this sector covering broadcast, multi-media and print journalism. The original Broadcast Journalism Standards (2009) and the Multi-media & Print Journalism Standards (2007) were considered during the development of the Journalism suite and are listed here for reference.
National Occupational Standards for Broacast Journalism
National Occupational Standards for Multimedia & Print Journalism
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