In your country, do you need a Journalism degree to be a journalist?

Question

And where are you from?

In my country (Portugal), as far as I know, TV stations require journalists to have a degree, but not newspapers.
I've been told that grade 11 is enough for you to start a career as a newspaper reporter.

Answer 1

In the U.S. ... it depends on the news outlet. Some have an "official" policy that requires a degree (not necessarily journalism) but it is a rule that can often be bent for the right person.

Some of the finest journalists I know never graduated college, but most of them have been in the business for a while.

So, no, we don't "need" a degree, but it does open more doors and makes it easier to get through them.

Answer 2

No, not really. In the U.S. if you work for a media outlet, you can be a journalist. Newspapers hire interns all the time to learn the business, and that includes high school and college kids.

That said, it's tough to get into the business full-time after school without a degree. But .. it can be done. You are only as good as your work.

Answer 3

Well U have to have some degree of the language to lay out copy, make sense so that the public can read it.

However, surely the greatest attribute is being a plain nosey interfering, trespassing *** ole, completely oblivious to laws and peoples privacy and perverted to boot to be successful

Answer 4

I dont believe so, if you get in with the right crowd, anyone can be a journalist. Like anyone can be a news presenter or radio announcer. Just not everyone can fly a commercial airliner unless they are licensed, or command the shuttle.

Answer 5

YES.