Higher pay, improved standards and increased public esteem could be around the corner for journalists, according to a new report.

But they would have to become better regulated first.

The National Union of Journalists has published a discussion document comparing UK journalism with other trades and professions, and it calls for regulation to change the status quo.

The report's author, Chris Wheal, says the question over which camp journalists fall into has long vexed the industry.

He said in the report: "Within the NUJ we often try to describe ourselves as professionals yet glorify in being a skilled trade when it comes to identifying with the working class cause of trade unionism."

He added that journalism in the UK was currently neither a trade nor a profession – and was an unregulated job title "open to charlatans and miscreants".

"It is no wonder our work is held in such low public esteem," he said.

His discussion paper explains that while many journalists struggle through university courses, work for apprentice pay and spend hours in evening classes or practising shorthand to reach the standards recognised by a variety of industry qualifications, many have received no training.

Chris, who chairs the union's professional training committee, said: "It is evident that many have no idea about media law, ethics or even English usage. Anyone can call themselves a journalist even if they have never had an item published or broadcast."

The drawbacks of regulation, of course, would be more bureaucracy, more exams and the possibility of action for journalists who breached the industry standard.

Benefits would include the fact that many such standards are internationally recognised.

"There are already many groups who want to see an approved list of journalists so they can talk only to those on the list of registered or approved journalists. This pressure is mounting."

In Italy legislation ensures that it is not possible to trade as a journalist without falling under the regulatory regime. All Italian journalists need to belong to the Ordine dei Journaliste, which controls the profession and can remove those who are "unprofessional".

This means that journalism is more highly thought of in Italy, better paid and has much higher status, although the regulations might inhibit journalism in a way that would not be acceptable here.

Chris concludes: "To ignore the issue of regulation and registration of journalists would be to try to hold back the tide like King Canute.

"Recent history of regulatory reform in general, plus the growing expectations of the public and interested parties, suggests that there will be moves towards formal regulation and/or registration of all professions and trades.

"Journalism will be regulated and the names of approved journalists are likely to be held on a central register at some point in the near future."

He said the NUJ could either be involved in establishing that system, help shape it and support it, or be sidelined and left out.

He outlines a number of regulatory options: