Multimedia Journalist (MoJo)
Operates as a one-person news crew, shooting video, recording audio, writing copy, editing packages, and publishing across multiple platforms simultaneously from the field using mobile technology.
From people doing the work
Being a MoJo means you're always on the go, wearing many hats. One minute you're shooting a breaking story, the next you're editing it on your laptop in a coffee shop, then pushing it live to social media. It's demanding,, and requires constant adaptability, but there's a huge sense of accomplishment in seeing your complete story go from concept to screen, all by your own hand. Every day is different, and you learn to be very resourceful.
Drawn from ONA discussions, Journalism forums, Interviews with MoJos
Attribution: Composite
Composite · Synthesised from ONA discussions, Journalism forums, Interviews with MoJos
A day in the life of a Multimedia Journalist (MoJo)
- People interaction
- Extensive
- Team vs solo
- 15% Team / 85% Solo
- Client facing
- Frequent
- Impact visibility
- High
- Travel
- Frequent
- Schedule flexibility
- Rigid
- Remote work
- Limited Remote
- Typical work hours
- 45-55
- Stress level
- High
Multimedia Journalist (MoJo) salary, education and outlook at a glance
- Median salary
- $48,000
- Entry-level
- $32,000
- Senior
- $78,000
- Growth by 2033
- 2%
- Demand
- Stable
- Freelance potential
- Moderate
- Salary growth potential
- 144%
- Typical student debt
- Moderate
Skills you need as a Multimedia Journalist (MoJo)
Hard skills
- Mobile Video Shooting
- Video Editing (Premiere/FCPX)
- Live Streaming
- Audio Recording
- CMS Publishing
- Social Media Filing
- Drone Operation
Soft skills
- Self-Reliance
- Multitasking
- Adaptability
- Speed
- Storytelling
Technical complexity: High
Tools of the trade
Core tools
- Smartphone/Mobile Device (Hardware): Capturing video, audio, and publishing content directly from the field.
- Adobe Premiere Pro (Software): Professional video editing and post-production for news packages.
- Portable Audio Recorder (Hardware): Ensuring high-quality audio capture for interviews and field reports.
Commonly used
- Live Streaming Platform (Platform): Broadcasting real-time events and breaking news to audiences.
- Content Management System (CMS) (Platform): Publishing articles, videos, and multimedia content to news websites.
- Social Media Management Tool (Software): Distributing news content and engaging with audiences across various social platforms.
Specialist tools
- Drone (Hardware): Capturing aerial footage for unique perspectives in news reporting.
How to become a Multimedia Journalist (MoJo)
- Minimum education
- Bachelor's in Journalism, Multimedia, or Broadcasting
- Licensing
- No
- Years to mid-career
- 4-4
- Years to senior
- 10-10
- Career switching
- Easy
Where this career leads
How people arrive here
- News Reporter: A traditional news reporter often transitions to a MoJo role to gain multimedia skills and independence.
- Videographer: Videographers with strong storytelling abilities can pivot to MoJo by adding reporting and editing skills.
- Audio Producer: Audio producers can become MoJos by expanding their skills to include visual storytelling and field reporting.
Where you can go from here
- Digital Content Manager: MoJos often advance to managing digital content strategies and teams due to their broad skill set.
- Broadcast Producer: With experience in field production and storytelling, MoJos can move into producing roles for broadcast news.
- Documentary Filmmaker: The comprehensive production skills of a MoJo are highly transferable to independent documentary filmmaking.
Typical progression
- Intern
- Multimedia Journalist
- Senior MoJo
- Digital Content Manager
- News Director / Editor
Multimedia Journalist (MoJo) job outlook and future demand
- Automation probability
- Very Low
- AI disruption risk
- Moderate
- Demand trend
- Stable
Job satisfaction as a Multimedia Journalist (MoJo)
- Overall satisfaction
- 6/10
- Meaning
- 7.5/10
- Work-life balance
- 4/10
- Prestige
- 7/10
- Social perception
- Moderate
Where practitioners gather
Professional organisations
- National Association of Broadcast Employees and Technicians (NABET): A union representing broadcast and media professionals, including journalists and technicians.
- Online News Association (ONA): Supports digital journalists with training, networking, and industry best practices.
- Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE): Provides training and resources for investigative journalists, including data journalism.
Podcasts and media
- Poynter Institute: A global leader in journalism education and a resource for best practices and ethics.
Reddit communities
- r/journalism: A community for journalists to discuss news, ethics, and career advice.