Journalism is a different kind of profession. They have to work under many adverse conditions. Even when they are not in the office, they have to work. One of the new realities that COVID-19 has brought before us is office work from outside the office. Journalists are not exempt from this reality, they have to do more work from home now than ever before.
Now the question is, can journalists work from home? The answer is, of course journalists can work from home. Because, in this digital age, it is possible to do many things without being present at the scene. COVID- 19 has pushed us more towards the work form home trend. Many news organizations have already started practicing it widely.
But why do journalists work from home? What is the benefit of that? The first answer is that there is a lot of flexibility in working from home.
It is common in the world that journalists can work from anywhere outside the office, if they have the arrangements and facilities. These days many media houses are also providing all the arrangements for their employees to work from home. For example, they provide laptops and internet facilities to journalists. Not only that, they are creating access to office servers.
We know about more advantages of Office form Home. That’s are, if journalists work from their home, their expenses come down a lot. Because, on that time, they don’t have to travel outside and no need to eat outside which saves their money. On the other hand, employers also get reduced office management costs, because, they don’t have to pay office rent and other expenses. Equipment required for workers is very less.
However, there are some challenges to work from home as a journalist. One of the biggest challenges is to maintaining productivity and focus at work while sitting at home. But there are ways to deal with this challenge. Journalist should need a routine for work form home. Also, a separate room in the house will be needed for focused work. If the environment is ensured, it is possible to stay focused on work even from home.
Maintaining effective communication with coworkers and sources is another challenge for journalists when they work from home. Email, Mobile phone, WhatsApp, Messenger and other Apps have made our communication much easier than before. But there are certain limitations as well. For example, direct communication with coworkers and sources is more lively and vibrant than communication through digital apps. In particular, when journalists conduct content reviews, article editing, or brainstorming.
There are some security risk for journalist when they work from home. Journalists deal with a lot of sensitive information, especially when covering sensitive topics. These sensitive data are susceptible to leakage if they are not followed appropriate security precautions.
What standards should a journalist uphold while working remotely?
To ensure the quality of work, journalists who work from home must maintain a particular level of discipline. When work from home, journalists should keep in their mind the following things.
Dedicated workspace:
It’s important to have a dedicated room at home when a journalist work from home. It’s important for concentration on work without interruptions. So journalist should set up computers, phones, and other devices in the room, which can be his/her specific area of work at home.
Reliable internet connection:
As a journalist if you want to work from home, you must have to access to the office resources and able to communicate with office colleagues. For that, a dependable internet connection is required at home.
Maintaining regular contact with editors and colleagues:
Journalists are frequently use the work from home option. When they do work from home, they must stay in regular communication with their editors and office colleauges. A direct phone call, text message, or email can be used for that communication.
Time management skills:
If a journalist works from home, they must have good time management skills. They have to ensure submission of work within the deadline.
Maintaining a professional manner:
Working from home doesn’t mean you will forget professional manners! It should be maintain even though you will do work remotely. For example, while working from home you need to be in official dress, maintain communication with office colleagues and uphold ethical standard of work.
Backup plans:
Another important thing is that when your work from home you have to have a backup plan. For example, the power may go out suddenly or the internet may be disconnected! To handle the situation smoothly, you should have a power and internet backup.
Take care of mental health:
Sometimes, work from home is getting like isolation. It’s quite a stressful job also. So, you have to take enough break between works. Also, you have to take care of own mental health. It can be by getting up from the seat and walking, chatting with friends or with office colleagues etc.
Conclusion
Finally, work from home offers several advantages for journalists. Such as, it enables longer working hours. Because, the time it takes to travel from office to home and home to office can also be used for work. Besides, you can create your own work environment at home which help to increases productivity.
