Serious news journalism is one of those careers that one cannot do justice to without possessing a throbbing passion for it. It might not be the easiest job to do, but it is one that you can easily fall in love with. The competitiveness and daily excitement of current news stories can be overwhelming and exhilarating at the same time, and can drive many to new heights of realization.

Ask seasoned news reporters what journalism means to them and you’re in for a long haul. Hear their stories and watch their eyes sparkle as they share them. Feel their zeal as they speak of ideals and ethics and changing the world.

It is, however, a career that holds several ironies within it. It a high profile career, without really being one. Proclamation of one being a reporter can either spark respect or fear, awe or irritation (usually a mixture of all!). Journalism demands objectivity, but is there really such a thing as a totally objective journalist?

It isn’t easy being a rookie in the world of journalism. For those venturing into the field of print journalism, let me offer you a few pointers:

Get the scoop: The world around us is filled with news stories just waiting to be told. Identifying the right stories for your readers and telling those stories aptly is what is required. Figure out the topics you would like to cover- politics, social issues, crime, entertainment, arts, sports or any others. It could take some time to find a niche for yourself, but don’t be afraid to try your hand at varied topics.

Get the facts right: News gathering is the most important part of the job. Whether it is at a press conference you attend, or if you have to scout around for the information, having an eye for detail is vital. Do some research before venturing out so you know what questions to ask and to whom. Remember, quotes from the right people are essential in news reporting. Interacting and rechecking key points would help. Keep you audience in mind while planning your article. Arrange the article based on what you think is important and interesting for your readers.

Pictures speak a 1000 words: No matter how interesting your article is, a picture will always help in boosting readability. Make sure that the pictures are a reflection of your key points or it could come out as a very confusing article. For this you would need to work in tandem with your photographer and discuss the article’s focus with him. When I started out as a trainee journalist in Mumbai, I was put on an assignment to highlight the deplorable conditions of a certain zoo. Due to some confusion in timings I wasn’t able to tell the photographer about the type of pictures I needed. It turned out that the pictures he then took weren’t even close to what I conveyed through my article. In the end they had to retake the pictures, which resulted in loss of time and a very angry editor.

Master the art of news writing: Keep in mind that you must convey the story crisply to your readers. Most readers only read the first paragraph of news items, so that is where the gist of the story should be. Beware of the essay writer in you creeping into your article. Keep your headlines and captions crisp and catchy.

Be objective: I did mention that it’s impossible to be completely objective but objectivity still remains an imperative in the business. Don’t let your personal opinions influence your capacity to tell a good story. Remember your job is not to preach but to give information. The best kind of article is that which provides both sides of the story and encourages readers to decide for themselves. Opinions must generally be reserved for the editorial pages. Having said that, I do believe that positive influence also plays a strong part in journalistic writing, but striking that fine balance could take a while.

Look, listen and learn: As a reporter it is important to be aware of what is happening around you. Awareness encapsulates reading newspapers and magazines on your area of writing, browsing related websites, and contacting resourceful people for timely information. There are loads of ways you can gather information and our options are expanding everyday.

A good option, in this respect, for women journalists is to join like minded media groups. One such group is the Network of Women in Media, India (NWMI) which has local divisions in several states of India. Being a part of such a fraternity would be an enormous enhancer to your resource base, not to mention the countless number of additional tips you would get.

Write responsibly: When you enter the media field you acquire a position that goes hand in hand with infinite possibilities as well as vast responsibilities. A journalist has the capacity to influence public opinion to a great extent. It’s not for nothing that the media is called a watchdog. Think about this at regular intervals. The public deserves honest writers but also sensitive and responsible ones.