INSTITUTIONS OFFERING AGRICULTURAL JOURNALISM LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT IS AGRICULTURAL JOURNALISM AND WHO IS AN AGRICULTURAL JOURNALIST?
Agricultural journalism, otherwise known as Farm journalism is a specialized field of communications that focuses on reporting news and information about agricultural related events in the society. People who specialize in this filed are called Agricultural journalists.
WHERE DO AGRICULTURAL JOURNALISM WORK?
Agricultural Journalists work for both public and private sector media houses. These include ZNBC TV and Radio, Prime TV, Diamond TV, Radio Phoenix, Lusaka Times, The Mast, Times of Zambia and the Zambia Daily Mail, to name a few. Agricultural Journalists work across a range of different mediums including Newspapers, Magazines, Online, TV, Radio and Photography. Some newspapers have writers who are agriculture reporters and these work alongside communications personnel when writing stories or reports for their brochures, websites, and press releases. These Journalists also use their writing, photography, and videography skills to cover important agriculture events that are then reported on social media, TV, radio, in newspapers and magazines.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
At their work places, agricultural journalists collect, process and disseminate agriculture and livestock based information. They also collect and analyse data that has been published from agricultural research and report on the findings. They use mass media platforms like; newspapers, magazines, radio, TV, film and internet to report their stories, publish articles or release short films and documentaries. Most of the research and data verification is done on the internet. Agriculture journalists use social media sites to push stories, build traffic on social channels, and distribute their work content. Agricultural journalists may cover topics including new technologies in agriculture, farming practices, agriculture news, weather, training opportunities and government regulations on agriculture practices.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF AN AGRICULTURAL JOURNALIST?
Most agricultural journalists employed in both privately owned and government media work full-time schedules during the regular business hours starting at 08:00hrs to 17:00hrs from Monday to Friday. Others working independently or in media research organizations often set their own hours. They may work in the evenings or on weekends to wrap up their stories and reports. Those working with international media houses like BBC usually put in overtime work shifts to cover their stories in time.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
Job opportunities for agricultural journalists will vary by the level of education obtained and work experience. After graduation, agriculture journalists usually intern at the many media houses in the country in order to gain some work experience. With the coming of digital migration, there has been a notable increase in the number or press and media agencies which has resulted in an increased demand for journalists in general.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
Journalism involves proper communication of information to the public. Therefore to work as an agricultural journalist, you must have written communication skills, visual communications skills, and oral communication skills. You must also be open-minded, ready to put personal beliefs aside and view situations from different points of view. This will help you to overcome biasness in your reporting. Apart from that, journalists are determined people who are passionate about their work. You must be motivated to report on events no matter how difficult obtaining a key piece of information will be.
To enjoy studying this program, you must have an interest in information subjects such as History, Civic Education, Geography, Language and Literature.
INSTITUTIONS OFFERING AGRICULTURAL JOURNALISM LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
Subjects covered in this program include Introduction to Journalism, Introduction to Mass Communication Editing, Techniques in Media Laws and Reporting Methods, Writing for Media, Socio-Economic & Political Scenario, Introduction to Communication, Basics of Design & Graphics Media, Print Journalism, Development & Communication, Radio Journalism, Production Basics of Camera, Agriculture and Public Relations, New Media, Advertising Practices and Public Relations, and History of Journalism.
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
Minimum entry requirements for this program are five O’ level credits inclusive of English and Mathematics.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
After obtaining the diploma in agricultural journalism, you choose to advance your qualification to degree and master’s level in Journalism, Public Relations, Media and Communication studies, or Communication for Development. These higher qualifications increase your chances of getting a job in higher positions and also in other fields such as law, healthcare, tourism and IT. With a master’s, you can also work as a lecturer in a university.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER AGRICULTURE JOURNALISM
ZAMBIA INSTITUTE OF MASS COMMUNICATION
Duration: 2 years (Diploma)
Mode: Full time
Intakes: January
Location: Lusaka
Contacts
Tel: +260 211 251 811
Email: info@zamcom.ac.zm
Website: www.zamcom.co.zm