How do I Become a TV Reporter or News Anchor?

TV reporters or TV news anchors are basically individuals who get answers for the questions that the nation wants to know!

These are the people we see daily on our television screens, laptops or mobile phones. They compile stories from all fields such as sports, music, movies, politics, weather, space, etc. and deliver what we call ‘news’.

But, what does it take to be one of these professionals? Let’s find out.

Skills Required to Become a TV Reporter or Anchor

When we talk about news reporting, there are certain skills that you need to have in order to look and sound convincing. Here are a few important ones:

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1. Camera friendliness

The first and most important skill required to be a professional TV reporter is being comfortable in front of the camera. One should possess a certain sense of showmanship to be a news anchor. Not everyone is born being comfortable in front of the camera; it is an acquired skill which can certainly be honed over a period of time.


2. On-screen presence

Secondly, you need to connect and relate with the audience so people prefer you over your competition. This is where your appearance and voice modulation abilities come into the picture.


3. Soft skills

It goes without saying that an aspiring reporter or anchor should also have excellent written, verbal, improvisational and interviewing skills.


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4. Additional all-round traits

Additionally, traits like persistence, objectivity, physical stamina, profound knowledge of the current happenings and history can contribute to your quality as a TV news reporter.


5. Being neutral

Another important trait is being unbiased in whatever you do or say on the camera (and on social media as well).

The Virtues of Being a TV Reporter

Being a TV reporter in a reputed television studio or channel can expose you to a lot of screen time and limelight. You could potentially get a large number of followers on social media. People taking time out of their lives to watch you and them having faith in the information you provide is just the cherry on top.  But, being a reporter is much more than just being on TV. A big part is that you develop a network and relationships with people who are in the know. These sources then become your bank that start providing you good information and news material.

However, it is equally important to know that the job comes with working long and irregular hours, constant deadlines and unpredictable natural and world events. These could range from political scandals and life threats attached to it, unpredictable weather conditions and risking your life while covering terrorist attacks and what not. A report must have a stomach for negative stories, but should also remain objective and unemotional in the face of disaster.

How to Become a TV Reporter?

So, we come back to the all-important question. A prerequisite for any area of media is having a relevant education in that field. A Bachelor’s Degree in Broadcast Journalism can truly set you on the path to achieving greatness in the world of television or internet news.

A great internship experience and ample exposure to covering news across geographies and a variety of events can also contribute to your portfolio when you are actively looking for opportunities after your graduation. And while it is not a must have, a Master’s Degree in Journalism can provide aspirants with additional training in the field and give you an upper hand when seeking job opportunities.

How Long Does It Take to Become a News Anchor?

The bare minimum time you would need in order to pitch for a regular job as a news anchor or TV reporter is the 3 years of training that you will need to undergo from a broadcast journalism college like Seamedu School of Pro-Expressionism. Post that, your qualification, internship experience and interview skills will become the key factors when it comes to getting a job as a reporter or anchor (at a fresher level).

Do you aspire to become a TV reporter? Check out Seamedu’s all-encompassing degree course in broadcast journalism.

What are the qualifications or education you need to become a news reporter or anchor?

As mentioned above, a graduate degree in broadcast journalism is the prerequisite for a job in the television news industry. A comprehensive degree course can help you learn:

Subjects like:

  • News production / Bulletin production
  • Live reporting and news anchoring
  • News writing
  • Multi-cam setup
  • Video editing
  • Photojournalism
  • Interviewing, debating
  • Documentary/feature production
  • Crime/business/sports/politics/entertainment reporting
  • Digital media


Software like:

  • Adobe Photoshop (Photo Editing)
  • Final Cut Pro (Video Editing)
  • Adobe Premier Pro (Video Editing)

In addition to what’s mentioned above, students also get the opportunity to attend seminars and workshops conducted by industry professionals and create full-fledged projects and dissertations during their course.

Learn more about Seamedu’s broadcast journalism program for aspiring TV journalists and reporters.


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How Much Do TV Reporters Make?

The remuneration in this profession varies greatly and is also dependent on which market you work for (local news or national/international). The job has travelling perks if you are covering news nationally or globally (also satiating your travel bug).

Just to give you an example, former Fox News anchor Bill O’Reilly was the highest paid TV news personality before he quit in 2017.

However, before you begin thinking international, seek out potential opportunities in the Indian market and network with those in the industry to understand the pay scales.

Gathering the News

The amount of work that goes behind an anchor’s compilation of the information depends on the geography that they are covering. Local anchors cover their own stories and present them; they are further bound by budget and scarce resources. Finding data proven and fact-based reporting has not been the idealistic approach of journalism these days. Just like a screenplay, the holistic ways of reporting have been sidelined and this been sadly replaced by the paid news and biased channels. As stressed earlier, a TV reporter should be objective and unbiased, no matter what pressure you are under. Never give up on journalistic ethics!

How to Get a Job as a TV Reporter?

Usually, TV reporters (in their internships or field work) have tapes of their on-air time. Sending these sample tapes to recruiters at channels and studios along with the CV can help you land jobs or at least interviews. A TV reporter should be willing to step out of their comfort zone as a job you find may not be near your home, you might have to shift bases quite often. You may not have much control on your first or second job, but once you start developing your network you will find it much easier to apply at more coveted locations and be associated with the bigger brands.

In a Nutshell

For a TV reporter, there is no such thing as a ‘typical day’. You can be called early and asked to stay late, depending on the story you are covering. Many people think that a TV reporter spends a lot of time meeting sources at secret locations and gathering tips and juicy details on a scandalous story. But most TV reporters spend their time collecting news, stories and packaging them alone or with a team, since there is always an intense deadline to get the story completed by airtime.

All in all, TV reporting is an exciting career if you love to be on the move and are willing to break the stereotype of a 9-to-5 job.

Sign up for our comprehensive degree program in broadcast journalism at our Pune campus.

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Written by: Dr. Sukhada Khandge

Last updated: 26-02-2024

Dr. Sukhada Khandge - PhD Inter-Disciplinary Folk Media | University of Mumbai. She is a passionate journalist and a researcher. While practicing journalism since 2008, she has worked with various national dailies likes Pune Mirror, DNA, Free Press Journalism, Sakaal Times.

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