Anchoring on television is one of the most interesting professions for many young people. As a journalism trainer who has additionally handled the placements of students, I can vouch for this. Almost every other student when asked what alternative he or she would like to pursue as a career, the reply would always be news anchoring. A whole generation of Indians has actually grown up looking at Rajdeep Sardesai, Barkha Dutt, Arnab Goswami and Ravish Kumar are on Primetime throughout channels and have been enamored by using their glamour and the experience of authority that they exude.
These news anchors/presenters are stars in their very own right. They are anchors who take up people’s news, question the authorities, and expose the misdeeds of people in power. In so plenty so that over the years, they have emerged as the face of the channels they symbolize and are the main movers behind the TRPs that indicate garner. And not just news anchors for news programs, even these for general entertainment or sports programs too have attracted plenty of attention.
An accomplished journalist appears in his/her surroundings like an alchemist and has the capability to transform even a subdued match into a sensational piece of news. It is an art which is cultivated regularly over a period of time whilst working as a reporter/journalist.
Skills required
Working under the studio lights is tons greater than simply reading off a teleprompter in an air-conditioned studio. It can be especially annoying and requires multitasking. Being presentable is important, however, that may now not take one a long way if there is no substance. One has to be well-read, capable to articulate well, up to date in current affairs, and informed in language—both in spoken and writing.
Sure, appearances do matter—therefore, one has to look fit, have a clear, confident style of delivery and a desirable diction, and a sharp presence of thought —in order to be a successful news anchor. For non-news segments too, all these features are desirable, in addition to having sturdy area knowledge. This apart, one ought to have the ability to work in a team as television is all about an exceptional group effort. And he or she must be inclined to put in long hours at work as a news anchor and have no issues working at odd hours too.
Anchors or aspiring anchors need to be capable to give specific facts and deliver news except for any biases. An attractive, expressive voice and knowledge of voice pitch and modulation will maintain the newscaster popular among the audience. The list goes on, patience, perseverance, a pleasant demeanor, proper dressing sense, capability to handle work stress, etc. News Anchors signify news channels, or we can say news channel has its share of accountability.
Qualifications Required
To become a news anchor, the eligibility conditions might also no longer be strictly rigid however a Mass Communication degree definitely helps. If you test the skills of the popular presenters/news anchors in the country, you will discover that a majority of them have pursued some route or the different related to Mass Communication.
A degree in Mass Communication offers you a facet over the others as you would be uncovered to the range of nuances of television production. The practical training sessions supply you with the journey of facing the camera, conducting suggestions, and panel discussions. The course also offers students growing in the ethics and values of journalism practice, writing and story-telling skill-sets. To be eligible for a Journalism and Mass Communication course, a student should have scored at least 50% marks in aggregate in 5 subjects including English as an obligatory issue along with 4 subjects with the best score out of the remaining subjects.
Job Prospects of a News Anchor
The opportunities in the television sector are very vast. In India, the range of TV channels has grown to around 900 with many private players throwing in their hats post the 1990s financial reforms. Both TV viewership and annual advertising income for the TV area have expanded since 2016, in accordance with the Broadcast Audience Research Council (BARC) survey. This has led to enlarge in the variety of programs and the creation of jobs. With OTT structures like Netflix and Amazon Prime additionally churning out distinct programs, possibilities for aspiring anchors or presenters abound. The ever-growing events enterprise too has tremendous scope for anchors and presenters.
Indian news channels are developing at a fast pace these days and the market demand for newsreaders is capturing up. Consequently, the remuneration is additionally growing to match the demand. An entry-level news anchor with less than one year of experience can expect to earn up to 4 LPA. A news anchor with 5 to 9 years of experience can earn up to 8 LPA.
