In order to become a...?

...freelance photojournalist do you literally pick up a camera and go looking for a scoop? Is that all there is to it?

I'd love to do it but it seems that is all there is to it, just get a digital SLR, a plane ticket to the latest natural disaster or human atrocity (presuming that's what you wanted to cover), cover the story, and then get home and waltz in to the local newspaper office.

Is that really all there is to it?

Unfortunately no... You'd need to be affiliated - initially at least - to a newspaper or other press medium. Finding a natural disaster or human atrocity and getting there before the fully paid up photographers ain't going to be easy - or cheap. Build up a portfolio and submit photos to newspapers - start with local ones - when you get published, more people will sit up and take notice. Photography, especially photojournalism is incredibly competitive, but unlike the paps there is a lot of comraderie, so try and find a contact who'll take you under their wing - maybe on work experience. Good luck (and as well as a digital SLR get a 35mm SLR as well - they're still better.)

yes and no, you need to get a better pic than any of the other papparazi present. also you need to build up contacts to find out where famous people or events will occur. also you need money to get there. also you need to wait around a lot. also you need some luck.

Get the right kind of Scoop - not a Pooper Scooper!

First you have to get into some photo clases, and get some expirience and knowing the diferent profesional camaras in the market, did you ever notice that the people at a special meting for exaple have more than one camara? if you dont know why is because make it a lot faster to take photos, and only the best shots rich the best nesw papers like the New York Times, so is not that easy as it apears.