Profession newspaper editor

Newspaper editors decide which news stories are interesting enough and will be covered in the paper. They assign journalists to each item. Newspaper editors determine the length of each news article and where it will be featured in the newspaper. They also ensure that publications are finished on time for publishing.

Personality Type

• Artistic / Enterprising

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.

• Writing techniques

  The different techniques to write a story such as the descriptive, persuasive, first person and other techniques.

• Press law

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

Skills

• Respect cultural preferences

  Recognise different cultural preferences when creating products and concepts in order to avoid giving insult to certain people. Try to reach as broad an audience possible.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Use specific writing techniques

  Use writing techniques depending on the type of media, the genre, and the story.

• 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.

• Check stories

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

• 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.

• 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.

• Participate in editorial meetings

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

• 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.

• Meet deadlines

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

• Follow the news

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

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB