If you have an interest in working in media, communications or journalism, consider becoming a journalist or a reporter. Although many use these terms interchangeably, there are some fundamental differences in their work environment and job duties. Understanding the difference between the two can help determine if either career is right for you. In this article, we compare a journalist vs reporter, discuss the differences between the two career options and explore some similarities. _Related jobs on Indeed_ _Part-time jobs_ _Full-time jobs_ _Remote jobs_ _Urgently needed jobs_ _View more jobs on Indeed_ *Journalist Vs Reporter* It is helpful to understand what individuals in these jobs do to learn more about the differences between a journalist vs reporter. Here is some information about each field: *_What is a journalist?_* A journalist researches, investigates, gathers, compiles and presents news and factual stories and disseminates it as a written piece on an online website or print media. They collect information and verify the facts based on primary and secondary data. Although journalists primarily work in the news industries, many work in the tourism and travel, fashion or other industries. Some other aspects of a journalist's job include fact checking, editing, reporting and writing news and political opinion articles. Employers expect these professionals to adhere to strong moral codes of conduct for relaying factual and unbiased information to the public. Often, they work long and irregular hours depending on the event they are covering. They might frequently travel locally and internationally to attend conferences and write stories about important events. _Related: Multimedia Journalist Skills (With Ways To Improve Them)_ _Find journalist jobs_ *_What is a reporter?_* Reporters are news anchors who interview victims, witnesses, influential people and other subjects of news events. Often, they travel to various locations to collect information from authentic sources, such as government agents, public relations officials and police. After gathering material from multiple origins, they verify its reliability and accuracy, write a report and submit it to an editor. Editors rely heavily on reporters to identify and telecast breaking news and publish them in various print and digital media. Apart from preparing news reports about stories assigned by an editor, these individuals might cover events as they happen. A reporter's duties may vary depending on their industry specialism and working medium. _Related: What Does A Reporter Do? A Comprehensive Guide (With Duties)_ _Find reporter jobs_ *Difference Between A Journalist And Reporter* Here are a few differences between a journalist and a reporter: *Job duties* Some duties of a journalist are: * Using an unbiased perspective while writing * Meeting deadlines for every story * Working alongside editors and photographers * Editing articles before submission * Researching and collecting information about a story * Correcting errors, rearranging elements and revising language before submitting any story * Liaising with sub-editors, editors, designers and photographers Some duties of a reporter are: * Identifying newsworthy events and incidents * Writing and delivering news stories, keeping the reader's perspective in mind * Cooperating with editors and sub-editors * Staying up to date with the latest current events

*Difference Between A Journalist And Reporter* Here are a few differences between a journalist and a reporter: *Job duties* Some duties of a journalist are: * Using an unbiased perspective while writing * Meeting deadlines for every story * Working alongside editors and photographers * Editing articles before submission * Researching and collecting information about a story * Correcting errors, rearranging elements and revising language before submitting any story * Liaising with sub-editors, editors, designers and photographers Some duties of a reporter are: * Identifying newsworthy events and incidents * Writing and delivering news stories, keeping the reader's perspective in mind * Cooperating with editors and sub-editors * Staying up to date with the latest current events

Types Some types of reporters are: * Media correspondents: Editors of news channels and online portals assign reporters to specific locations to identify stories or cover scheduled events. They cover court cases, government activities, news conferences, community affairs and other significant issues in different geographic areas. * Sports reporters: They cover sports-related local, national and international news. Often, media companies have exclusive reporters for each sport who can describe the game in great detail. * Beat reporters: Media outlets hire reporters in specific fields, such as entertainment, education, food, music, art or culture. They keep the public updated about recent developments in their focus area. * Weather reporters: These reporters provide information, analysis and updates related to weather forecasts. They update the public about emergency weather events. * Visual media reporters: They shoot live videos at newsworthy engagements, accident sites, sports events and crime scenes. Using these visuals, they create exciting and engaging news stories. Some types of journalists are: * Investigative journalists: They thoroughly research a topic to expose evidence and deliver findings. Their job involves writing comprehensive reports and providing proof to support their conclusion. * Watchdog journalists: They guard society against illegal activity and inefficiencies from societal power, such as corporations and politicians. These journalists monitor the activities of large companies and influential figures and report those affecting society. * Broadcast journalists: They report information to the public through media, such as television and radio. Broadcast journalists narrate a report with a related video playing in the background or present a story while recording live videos. * Trade journalists: They provide industry-specific news, for example, relating to metals, oil and agriculture, and stories on business sectors, such as finance, travel and healthcare. These journalists process and report substantial information regarding the trades' market conditions.

*Similarities Between Journalists And Reporters* Some similarities between reporters and journalists are: * *Ethics and standards* Journalists create content and write pieces using their opinion, while reporters rely on collected facts. Both professionals follow the same ethical practices and standards. As reporters often focus on reality, they ensure they create and share true, factual and accurate stories. When journalists or reporters release a news story containing inaccurate content or statements, employers encourage them to retract the information and edit the work to meet the company's standards. Understanding an employer's ethical expectations is essential. * *Research* Employers expect reporters and journalists to have excellent research skills because both require investigation. As news stories rely on evidence, gathering necessary details can elevate the story's effectiveness. Research skills help them to find, analyse and organise information to create clear and logical news articles. Using first-hand accounts, they build trust with their audience. _Related: Essential Research Skills (With Benefits And How To Improve)_ * *Collaboration* Often, reporters and journalists collaborate to create stories and news pieces with which audiences easily connect. This cooperation leads to publications that attract the audience's interest and elicit responses from them. For instance, reporters and journalists ask thought-provoking questions, encouraging their audience to respond.   _The information on this site is provided as a courtesy and for informational purposes only. Indeed is not a career or legal advisor and does not guarantee job interviews or offers._

Bandung, Selasa, 10 Februari 2025

Muhammad Zaki Mubarrok

CEO CJI

Citizen Journalism Interdependen