Thanks for this interesting question! There are as many different motivations for journalism as there are types of journalist, but I think almost all journalists have a few things in common, namely a love of the written word, a belief that others should be better informed through their writing or broadcasting and for most, the pursuit of truth and uncovering of scandal. There is of course other things which drive people towards journalism in droves, but salary is certainly not one of them! Sometimes it is a passion for a subject; one of my university tutors is crazy about bicycles - the other is mad on motorbikes. Both made a living writing about their passions.

Is journalism a glamorous profession? Having been one, not really, unless you count freebies and free booze, which there is more of in journalism than other professions - but even then, local newspaper reporters see very little of either. But there is a romantic glamour of the 24/7 hack, investigating a case his editor has given up on, because he knows it's a story. Drinking ceaselessly, tapping on his typewriting while chain smoking, a 'spike' almost full of paper at his side. But that picture is not an accurate one - journalism is at times more exciting and much more varied than this, and at others much more dull, parochial and frustrating. It's certainly not an easy career!