Journalism is the practice of collecting, verifying, analyzing, and presenting news and information to an audience. It's a profession dedicated to informing the public about current events, issues, and developments across various mediums such as newspapers, magazines, television, radio, and the internet.

A journalist is someone who practices journalism. They gather information through research, interviews, and firsthand observation to report news stories accurately, fairly, and in a timely manner. Journalists often work for news organizations such as newspapers, television networks, radio stations, online publications, or wire services. They may specialize in specific areas such as politics, sports, business, entertainment, or investigative reporting.

The role and duties of a journalist can vary depending on their specialization and the type of media they work for, but some common responsibilities include:

1. Research: Gathering information through interviews, investigations, and other sources.
2. Reporting: Writing news stories, articles, or scripts for broadcast based on the gathered information.
3. Interviewing: Conducting interviews with sources to gather quotes, insights, and background information.
4. Fact-Checking: Verifying the accuracy of information and sources before publishing or broadcasting a story.
5. Editing: Reviewing and revising written or recorded content for clarity, accuracy, and style.
6. Ethical Considerations: Adhering to journalistic ethics and standards, such as objectivity, fairness, and honesty.
7. Adaptability: Being able to adapt to changing deadlines, priorities, and formats in a fast-paced news environment.
8. Multimedia Skills: In today's digital age, journalists often need to be proficient in using multimedia tools for reporting, such as photography, videography, and social media.
9. Awareness of Legal Issues: Understanding the legal implications of reporting, including libel, defamation, and privacy laws.
10. Critical Thinking: Analyzing complex issues and presenting them in a clear and understandable manner for the audience.

Step 1:  Complete Class 12th (or equivalent): After class 10th, continue your education by completing your class 12th exams. Again, focus on subjects that will be relevant to journalism, such as English, political science, history, and economics.

Step 2:  Choose the Right Course: After completing class 12th, you can pursue a bachelor's degree in journalism or mass communication. Many universities and colleges in India offer undergraduate programs in journalism, media studies, or mass communication. Some popular options include Bachelor of Journalism and Mass Communication (BJMC) or Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communication (BAMC).

Step 3:  Gain Practical Experience: While pursuing your undergraduate degree, try to gain practical experience through internships, freelance writing, or contributing to student newspapers or magazines. 

Step 4:  Consider Specializations: Journalism is a broad field, so consider specializing in a specific area of interest such as print journalism, broadcast journalism, digital journalism, investigative journalism, or photojournalism. Your choice of specialization may influence the courses you take and the internships you pursue.

•     Reporter/Correspondent
•     Editor
•     Photojournalist
•     Broadcast Journalist
•     Feature Writer
•     Columnist/Opinion Writer
•     Investigative Journalist
•     Freelance Journalist
•     Copy Editor/Proofreader
•     Social Media Journalist

•     Print Media (Newspapers, Magazines)
•     Broadcast Media (Television, Radio)
•     Online Media (Websites, Blogs)
•     News Agencies (Reuters, Associated Press)
•     Corporate Communications
•     Public Relations
•     Government/Public Sector
•     Nonprofit Organizations
•     Advertising and Marketing Agencies
•     Freelance/Independent Contracting

• Entry-Level: Fresh graduates may start with modest salaries, typically ranging from ₹2.5 lakh to ₹5 lakh per annum.
• Mid-Level: With a few years of experience, salaries increase to around ₹5 lakh to ₹12 lakh per annum for mid-level positions.
• Senior-Level: Seasoned journalists or those in leadership roles can earn upwards of ₹12 lakh per annum.
• Specializations: Certain specialized roles like investigative reporting or business journalism may offer higher salaries.
• Location: Salaries vary based on the cost of living, with metropolitan areas usually offering higher pay.
• Type of Media: Traditional media outlets and digital platforms may offer different salary ranges.
• Freelancing: Freelance journalists' income varies based on assignments, negotiated rates, and diversity of outlets they contribute to.
• Benefits: Besides salary, journalists may receive benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and professional development opportunities.