Journalism Career as Editor and Sub Editor

one of the major roles of a journalist is while he works as an editor

Editors determine the editorial policy and content of publications handle correspondence and decide on staff contributions. They work across a range of publications and may be assisted by associate editors and sub-editors. Editors must be highly literate with a sound knowledge of English grammar

Good organizational skills are enquired along with well developed management and supervisory skills. Editors must be able to produce detailed and accurate work, often to tight deadlines, be able to operate a keyboard and be aware of computer design applications.

 In large organizations, associate editors work with editors in assigning reporting staff and photographers to obtain news coverage, hire casual staff and approve staff leave and expenses. They may also review and edit copy to ensure it follows the required style and format as well as write headlines

Editors and associate editors also attend meetings and events about their particular area of expertise and interview people in that area. They prepare news, feature articles and critical reviews and finally plan the layout of a publication.

 If working in radio or television the may direct the preparation of a segment. Associate editors may specialize as news editors, directing the gathering, selecting and editing of news reports or public affairs programs

IMPORTANT JOB PROFILES

 A standard newspaper publishing organization would have the following basic departments and jobs.

The Editorial Term

Chief Editor/Resident Editor

Chief Editor is the captain of the editorial department. His primary responsibility is to supervise the functions of collection, selection ad presentation of all news items. In newspapers having multiple editions, resident editors are appointed .He is in-charge of the edition.

  The chief editor is a well read person, not less than a graduate long time experience as an editor. He must have an excellent comment of the major or minor political and current affairs. The resident editor will also be a graduate with lion time experience as an editor

News Editors

News editor is the right-hand man of the chief editor. He is the man to decide and to collect news to be included in the newspaper next day. He controls the vast network of correspondents and other news sourses.He must have leadership qualities and ability to take decisions quickly. For this post one should e a graduate and must have adequate experience

Assistant editors and chief-sub editors

Their duties are similar to the editor. But they have to work in a limited area as compared the editor. For these posts also one should be a graduate and have adequate experience. They must have the ability to write well regarded and in-depth articles and fractures’ chief sub-editor assigns work various sub-editors working under him, followed by coordination and supervision of the staff working under him.

Each newspapers has a number of sub editors I their office. They work for editors of magazines and newspapers in assessing the suitability of reports and articles for publications and editing as necessary. Sub-editors select and sort out all news items coming to the newspaper office through various sources. They must have the ability to write and edit articles. He is one who improves the language, inserts punctuation and deletes the portions of the news stories. The major concern is to make the story clear, simple and genuine.
 He should have an analytical mind; quick understanding and ability to judge the newsworthiness of the reports that are put up to him. He should be prepared to work in shifts.
  They may specialize as senior sub-editors writing headlines to fit the space allocated to the story or copy and decide o the story or copy, and on the layout of photographs and drawings. They also make decisions about the size of type as well as contribute to the design of the publication and generate new ideas. Chief Sub-editors constantly monitor the pages and sort through articles to decide on those that will be included in the publication.
 Sub-editors perform the following tasks:
 1) assist in determining the layout of the publication or broadcast;
2) examine a news item or article written by an author or journalist and change it where necessary to make it clearer, to fit a particular space or to make it more suitable for te publication;
3) receive copy from reporters and wife services including news agencies and check its suitability;
4) ready copy to find errors in spelling construction, continuity, punctuation and content, or adapt articles written to suit the Australian market;
5) check facts in news stories to ensure they are accurate and not misleading or libelous by referring to newspaper files, other sources and talking to writers; and
6) write headlines.
Reporters and special correspondents
The reporter is said to e the ears and eyes of the newspaper. A person I the field of journalism is likely to enter as a reporter. He must have a nose to sense news. He must be flexible enough to mix up with others and to stay in constant touch with various news resources. He must be smart, quick and at the same time, possess good writing skill. He should also train himself to have self-discipline and use restraint is whatever the reports. Intelligence, analytic approach, self-confidence, perseverance, cool temperament, are some of qualities that a successful reporter needs.
 Special correspondents are reporters for special purposes. They have to report activity of Union Ministries, Parliament and political parties, etc. To become a special correspondent are should have sufficient experience as a reporter
Critics: To become a critic one must have adequate knowledge in the field of one’s specialisation.There are various fields to choose from.  One can be film critic, drama critic, art critic etc. He or she is supposed to be well read and have adequate experience in his subject/art is preferred. It is still better if he in addition, also undergoes professional training and gains experience. This will make his entry into the profession easy and lucrative.
News paper organizations also demand young and efficient persons for the following departments and posts:
 The leader writer, Trainee Writers, News photographers, Circulation managers
Circulations executives, Advertisement managers, Advertisement executives, Administrative managers
Senior Clerks, Clerks, Accounts managers, Computer Operators, Printing machine operators, Librarians and researchers