Facets of Journalistic Skills 2024

This report examines 531 job advertisements from 32 news outlets across seven countries (U.S., UK, Australia, France, Germany, Austria, and Switzerland) collected in 2023, highlighting the demands for digital skills, work experience, academic degrees, salary transparency, and diversity.Key findings include:Skill Demand: Digital expertise such as SEO, audience data analysis, social media management, and multimedia production is increasingly required, while AI skills remain emergent.Work Experience: Experience requirements vary by country, with the U.S. demanding more advanced experience. Not surprisingly, more experience correlates with higher salaries.Academic Degree: A university degree is often required in the U.S. and France, though less so in the other countries. A degree generally enhances salary prospects, but work experience has a larger impact.Salary Transparency is inconsistent, with only one-third of ads including salary details, mostly from NYT and CNN. Annual salaries range from $16k for entry level to $300k for a senior producer at CNN.Diversity: U.S. and Australian outlets are leading in addressing diversity, with many job ads including statements about inclusivity across gender, ethnicity, religion, and disability.The report provides a guide for aspiring journalists, educators, and news professionals, offering insights into the industry’s expectations.