Profession editor-in-chief

Editors-in-chief oversee the production of news stories for newspapers, magazines, journals and other media. They manage the day-to-day operations of a publication and make sure it is ready on time.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • Editorial standards

    The guidelines on how to deal with and report on privacy, children, and death according to impartiality, and other standards.

  • Copyright legislation

    Legislation describing the protection of the rights of original authors over their work, and how others can use it.

  • Press law

    The laws concerning the licensing of books and the freedom of expression in all products of the media.

Skills

  • Work closely with news teams

    Work closely with news teams, photographers and editors.

  • Follow the news

    Follow current events in politics, economics, social communities, cultural sectors, internationally, and in sports.

  • Implement strategic planning

    Take action on the goals and procedures defined at a strategic level in order to mobilise resources and pursue the established strategies.

  • Manage budgets

    Plan, monitor and report on the budget.

  • Ensure consistency of published articles

    Ensure that articles are consistent with the genre and theme of the newspaper, journal or magazine.

  • Adapt to changing situations

    Change approach to situations based on unexpected and sudden changes in people's needs and mood or in trends; shift strategies, improvise and naturally adapt to those circumstances.

  • Meet deadlines

    Ensure operative processes are finished at a previously agreed-upon time.

  • Manage staff

    Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.

  • Delegate activities

    Delegate activities and tasks to others according to the ability, level of preparation, competence and legal scope of practice. Make sure that people understand what they should do and when they should do it.

  • Adapt to type of media

    Adapt to different types of media such as television, movies, commercials, and others. Adapt work to type of media, scale of production, budget, genres within type of media, and others.

  • Consult information sources

    Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.

  • Check stories

    Seek out and investigate stories via your contacts, press releases and other media.

  • Create editorial board

    Create the outline for each publication and news broadcast. Determine the events that will be covered and the length of these articles and stories.

  • Build contacts to maintain news flow

    Build contacts to maintain a flow of news, for example, police and emergency services, local council, community groups, health trusts, press officers from a variety of organisations, the general public, etc.

  • Follow ethical code of conduct of journalists

    Follow the ethical code of conduct of journalists, such as freedom of speech, right of reply, being objective, and other rules.

  • Develop professional network

    Reach out to and meet up with people in a professional context. Find common ground and use your contacts for mutual benefit. Keep track of the people in your personal professional network and stay up to date on their activities.

  • Participate in editorial meetings

    Participate in meetings with fellow editors and journalists to discuss possible topics and to divide the tasks and workload.

Optional knowledge and skills

edit digital moving images grammar apply desktop publishing techniques use specific writing techniques document interviews interview people apply grammar and spelling rules hire new personnel create online news content desktop publishing study relevant writing graphic design perform image editing spelling perform video editing proofread text interview techniques writing techniques check correctness of information edit negatives edit photographs write to a deadline photography manage contracts

Source: Sisyphus ODB