Very successful journalist without being on TV?

Question

I've always had a gift for writing. Ever since i was little. I'm a junior in high school now, and i have college prep english and will probably change to the Honor's class once i ace the college prep english. I think the career that would fit me the most is journalism because of my gift of writing plus my interest in news, politics, etc. But i don't want to be the one reporting it in front of the camera. Anything else is fine, but it seems like the most successful journalist are the ones in front of the camera. Can i be a very successful journalist without being the one on tv?

Please give me as much information as possible..thanks

Answer 1

Can't help but think of the wonderful reporters on National Public Radio like Nina Totenberg, Robert Siegel and all the others.
Any newspaper or newsmagazine need journalists. Go to the library and look at copies of Newsweek, Time, and any of the gazillion other magazines that focus on your very interests.
If you see (or hear) the work of writers you like, write to them and ask them to suggest how you should prepare for a career in journalism.
If you aren't already working on your school paper, perhaps you can do an internship with your local city newspaper.

Answer 2

Pick up a New York Times, USA Today, Chicago Tribune, San Francisco Chronicle, Wall Street Journal. You only see the talking heads on TV. The truly respected journalists are the ones who write for a living. New Yorker Magazine, Time, even Vanity Fair. Good Luck and have fun.

Answer 3

Absolutely. While television journalism can be done and done well, most of the better work has been done for newspapers and magazines. Check out local television news these days; it is often dismal.

And, even television reporters must know how to put together a sentence.

(In re-reading the question, the key word might be "successful." TV can pay well, particularly to the top end, but plenty of print reporters put together a good life too.)

Answer 4

I'm sorry I can't give you the best information, but I can suggest reading the background of other journalist and the following person:

Sebastian Junger... He wrote The Perfect Storm and other books but he's a journalist and studied cultural anthropology...

He's been a great influence in my life, among a few photographers.

I hope to read your journals in the future.

Good luck!

Answer 5

i'm in my early 40's and have always had a knack for writing things the way i see them and/or work on them. am currently a heavy truck mechanic. awhile back (2 years) ago. had done a job and was not in the best mood when it was time to write it up on what type of work was performed. when the scribbling was done (with everyone laughing that read it !!) i was told to quit writing like that, 'cause i was wasting "valuable company time" in writing it up. from the owner of the company at that!!! as far as your question, i don't have an answer, and there's no since in asking any of the ding-dongs at work , 'cause they sure don't know. have faith because someone out there will know, if they want you to have it. good luck. mike