Profession broadcast news editor

Broadcast news editors decide which news stories will be covered during the news. They assign journalists to each item. Broadcast news editors also determine the length of coverage for each news item and where it will be featured during the broadcast.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Copyright legislation

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

• Multimedia systems

  The methods, procedures and techniques pertaining to the operation of multimedia systems, usually a combination of software and hardware, presenting various types of media such as video and audio.

• Grammar

  The set of structural rules governing the composition of clauses, phrases, and words in any given natural language.

• Editorial standards

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

• Press law

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

• Spelling

  The rules concerning the way words are spelled.

Skills

• 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 the news

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

• Consult information sources

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

• 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.

• Apply organisational techniques

  Employ a set of organisational techniques and procedures which facilitate the achievement of the goals set. Use these resources efficiently and sustainably, and show flexibility when required.

• 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.

• Check stories

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

• Meet deadlines

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

• Participate in editorial meetings

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Work closely with news teams

  Work closely with news teams, photographers and editors.

• 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.

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB