Aspiring to take on a successful career in journalism can be both exciting and daunting, considering the sheer number of writing forms, mediums, and audiences involved. From covering public appearances of celebrities to commenting on the state of the national economy, journalists are exposed to all kinds of industries and topics of interest.

With so many ways to engage in journalism, how can you know which type is right for you? The following serves as a general guide to several key areas of the field and how they differ from one another. These areas include investigative, photo, political, business, and entertainment journalism.

While there are many more types of journalism, this blog focuses on these five. Read on to learn more.

Investigative Journalism

One of the main tenets of journalism is to report information as truthfully as possible. Investigative journalism, in particular, is concerned with bringing truth to light—whether it’s hidden, misunderstood, or otherwise unclear to the general public. Investigative journalists approach their job with inquisitive and critical minds, often yearning to expose varying forms of injustice. Common topics that investigative journalists cover include:

• Political corruption
• Corporate malfeasance
• Social inequality
• Environmental concerns
• Animal cruelty
• War crimes

Although their investigative reporting might stem from a personal desire to shed light on moral wrongdoing, these journalists strive to remain as objective as possible as they research, conduct interviews, write, and share their work. Many aspects of modern society have benefitted from bold investigative journalists speaking up about sensitive, newsworthy issues.

The revelations uncovered during the Watergate scandal and details from published works like Upton Sinclair’s The Jungle are the results of dedicated investigative journalists going to great lengths to champion justice and enlighten the public.

Photojournalism

Some journalists report news without using words, relying instead on the power of photographic and video images. Photojournalism is a particularly effective way to capture the immediacy of an important event or scene, whether it’s an elated presidential candidate winning an election or an exhausted surgeon finishing a heart transplant operation.

Images can often convey the human condition better than any combination of words on a page ever could—photojournalists use this to their advantage in their storytelling. The types of stories best suited to photojournalism might involve breaking news, cultural movements, humanitarian crises, vignettes of everyday life, and much more. Successful photojournalists take care not to distort the facts or lean on overly manipulative imagery in their work.

Political Journalism

Politics shape public opinion in hugely influential ways. Political journalism is dedicated to discussing topics related to political ideologies, government leaders, partisan issues, and more. Many political journalists and media outlets are drawn to the timely, relevant, and often hotly debated subjects that have a real impact on individual lives, communities, and entire nations. Some of the most common political journalism news stories cover the following:

• Presidential elections
• Legislative activities
• Public policy
• Campaign strategies
• Profiles of political figures
• Press releases

The primary goals of political journalism are to inform audiences about the meaning behind various political principles and to educate voters on how to be effective civic contributors. To fulfill these goals, journalists and newsrooms should aim for fairness, accuracy, and respect in their day-to-day efforts.

Business Journalism

Business journalism focuses on the state of the economy, financial markets, and news in the business world at large. Every person engages in business to some extent, whether they shop online, invest in stocks, or frequent their local bookstore. Business journalists act as analysts that interpret major events in the industry, conduct research, and write up stories that highlight key points and share commentary. Some of these journalists specialize in local business news, while others pursue reporting on a national or international level.

Business topics are often conducive to all kinds of journalism formats, including opinion pieces, feature articles, interactive media, and more. Whatever the format, most business journalists dissect complex financial data, detail corporate developments, and assess market trends. Other business journalism stories may hit on topics like startups, industry innovations, and consumer behavior.

Entertainment Journalism

Entertainment journalism is one of the most popular forms of “soft news,” or news that focuses less on serious issues and more on leisure, lifestyle, and other similar topics. Films, television, music, art, literature, and video games are some of the most prominent subjects covered by entertainment journalists. Professionals in this subfield can usually write in a lighter and more playful tone, whether they’re creating content for magazines, websites, social media, or other forms of print or digital journalism.

Public demand for entertainment journalism is often high, as it provides an easygoing alternative to the no-nonsense coverage of investigative and other hard news reporting. Many entertainment journalists cover a range of topics, from celebrity interviews and behind-the-scenes looks at movie productions to critiques of cultural trends and industry dynamics.

Journalism as a Career and Next Steps

If you’re interested in entering the field of journalism or advancing in your role as a journalist, you may want to consider what type of journalism best suits you. Think about which subjects interest you most and what type of content you’d be most passionate about. You might also identify which method—or medium—of journalism you’d enjoy, whether it’s print, online, multimedia, or broadcast journalism.

Not every journalist finds their career niche easily, so take time to explore different types of journalism. Other types not discussed above include:

• Sports journalism
• Travel journalism
• Crime journalism
• Education journalism
• Data journalism
• Lifestyle journalism

Next, seek the education that aligns with your career goals. Many universities offer mass communication and journalism degrees that can equip you with the skills you’ll need to thrive.

As you search for relevant degree programs, consider WGU. Our online, accredited bachelor’s in communication is great for aspiring journalism professionals and is designed with input from industry experts. Your WGU program will grant you the most relevant, career-oriented skills so you can hit the ground running upon completion.

In addition, WGU’s competency-based learning model lets you advance through coursework as quickly as you show mastery of the material, so you can potentially graduate faster and save money. Learn more today.