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Who this path is for
This path is for journalists aiming to work in radio, television, or digital video — whether at the BBC, commercial broadcasters, independent production companies, or digital-first video outlets. It covers both technical craft skills and regulatory knowledge.
Broadcast journalism in the UK is regulated by Ofcom, not IPSO. Understanding the difference — and specifically the due impartiality requirements that apply to broadcast news — is as important as the craft skills of writing and presenting.
The six stages
Stage 1
Writing for Radio
- Short sentences: one idea per sentence, active voice, no subordinate clauses.
- Numbers: round them, write them out (thirty-five, not 35), avoid decimals.
- Attribution first: say who is speaking before what they said.
- Cues: how to write an intro cue for a package or interview clip.
- Pronunciation guides: mark phonetic pronunciation in copy for difficult names.
Stage 2
Writing for TV
- Writing to pictures: the words must complement, not repeat, what the viewer can see.
- Scene-setting: the opening shot determines how the viewer reads the rest of the package.
- Stand-ups: writing and delivering a piece-to-camera that explains what cannot be shown.
- Scripting an anchor introduction for a live two-way.
- Story structure for a 90-second TV package vs. a two-minute radio feature.
Stage 3
Voice and Presentation
- Breath control and pacing: managing breath while delivering under time pressure.
- Removing regionalisms if the role requires a neutral accent — while preserving authenticity.
- Marking up a script for emphasis, pauses, and pace changes.
- Delivering to an autocue naturally without sounding robotic.
- Two-way technique: listening actively to questions while holding your notes.
Stage 4
Field Reporting
- Setting up quickly for a live position: light, background, kit check.
- Conducting a doorstep: approaching a reluctant subject professionally and safely.
- Vox pops: gathering usable audio quickly from members of the public.
- Operating a portable recorder and managing audio levels in noisy environments.
- Safety at public events: situational awareness, identifying exits, lone reporting protocols.
Stage 5
Editing
- Audio editing in Audacity or Adobe Audition: top-and-tail, clean cuts, breath removal.
- Video editing basics in Premiere Pro or DaVinci Resolve for digital-first broadcast teams.
- Cutting an interview to its essential content without distorting its meaning.
- Selecting and assembling natural sound (nat-sot) to give texture to a package.
- Hitting time: editing to a precise duration for broadcast slots.
Stage 6
Ofcom Regulation
- The Ofcom Broadcasting Code: key sections (accuracy, due impartiality, harm, privacy).
- Due impartiality in news: what it requires and how it differs from balance.
- Elections: special impartiality requirements during election periods.
- Privacy under Section 8: Ofcom's guidance on covert recording and doorstepping.
- Fairness under Section 7: giving subjects a fair opportunity to respond before broadcast.
Key differences from print journalism
- Due impartiality is a legal requirement in UK broadcast news — not just a journalistic value.
- Broadcast journalists are regulated by Ofcom, not IPSO. Complaints are handled differently.
- Copy must be written to be spoken, not read. Sentence length and vocabulary must adapt accordingly.
- Deadlines are harder: a live broadcast slot cannot be moved. Filing late is not an option.
- Interviewees must be given a fair opportunity to respond before the programme airs, per Ofcom Section 7.
Related guides
Primary sources
Frequently asked questions
What is the BJTC and what does it accredit?
The Broadcast Journalism Training Council (BJTC) accredits broadcast journalism training programmes at universities and colleges across the UK. BJTC accreditation signals to employers that a course meets industry standards for technical skills, editorial understanding, and Ofcom regulatory awareness. Many BBC, ITV, and commercial radio employers look for BJTC-accredited training.
What is the Ofcom Broadcasting Code and why must broadcast journalists know it?
The Ofcom Broadcasting Code sets the standards that all UK broadcasters must follow. It covers accuracy, harm and offence, fairness and privacy, elections, religious programmes, and sponsorship. Unlike IPSO, Ofcom can issue significant fines and, in extreme cases, revoke a broadcaster's licence. Every broadcast journalist should be familiar with the Code sections relevant to their work.
Do I need NCTJ or BJTC qualifications to work in broadcast?
Neither the NCTJ nor BJTC qualifications are legally required to work in broadcasting in the UK. However, BJTC accreditation is widely valued by employers in radio and TV news. Some routes — particularly the BBC Journalism Trainee Scheme — are highly competitive and a BJTC-accredited postgraduate diploma gives a strong foundation. The NCTJ is also respected across broadcast employers.
What does writing for radio mean in practice?
Radio writing requires very different skills from print or online journalism. Copy must be written to be heard, not read: short sentences, active voice, minimal subordinate clauses, numbers written out and rounded where possible, no abbreviations. The BBC Academy publishes free guidance on writing for radio and TV on its website.
What field reporting skills do broadcast journalists need?
Field reporters need to be able to set up for a live two-way or piece-to-camera quickly, operate a recorder or camera in challenging conditions, source audio or video quickly under deadline, conduct vox pops and doorsteps, and deliver live reports without autocue. Safety awareness — particularly at public order events — is increasingly important.