10 Questions
What is the role of newsroom editors in a media organization?
Decide on the content of the paper
Which title is typically found in a newsroom organizational structure?
Managing Editor
What is the purpose of a 'story conference' or 'editorial meeting' in a newsroom?
To decide on front-page stories and photographs
What is the function of subeditors in a newsroom?
Responsible for specific tasks like opinion or photography
Why are newsroom editors sometimes collectively referred to as 'the desk'?
Because they are responsible for deciding on the content of the paper
Who is usually responsible for editing and writing the headlines on the front page?
Editor-in-chief
Which editor manages the literary and feature contributions writers?
Literary/features editor
Who oversees the layout of the paper and coordinates with the printing press?
Layout editor
How are headlines typically handled in print media?
Editors determine the size and length of headlines while designing the page.
Why are headlines considered one of the most important tasks of an editor?
To attract readers' attention and create a first impression.
Study Notes
Roles of Editors in a Newsroom
- Editor-in-chief: Oversees the operations of the paper, coordinates with managing editor and layout editor, and ensures deadlines are met.
- Editor-in-chief: Chairs the story conference and is responsible for editing and writing headlines on the front page.
Managing Editor
- Manages the content of the paper, coordinates with subeditors and photographers, and oversees day-to-day operations.
- In a community or campus paper, the managing editor doubles as the opinion editor and is responsible for editing the op-ed page.
News Editor
- Manages news reporters on a daily basis, assigns beats and news coverages, and ensures a reporter is assigned to each event.
- Coordinates with the photo editor for stories and is usually responsible for editing and writing headlines on the news pages.
Literary/Features Editor
- Manages literary and feature contributions, follows up on deadlines for assigned stories, and assesses and writes freelance writers.
- Is usually responsible for editing headlines on the features/literary pages.
Photo Editor
- Manages photographers, follows up on deadlines, and assigns them to cover events.
- Is usually responsible for writing photo captions.
Layout Editor
- Oversees the layout of the paper, coordinates with the printing press, and manages artists, including the editorial cartoonist and graphics artist.
Writing Headlines
- Headlines make the first impression of the paper, and headline writing is a crucial task for editors.
- Without a headline, a well-written story may not be noticed, and a badly written story may still be read due to its headline.
- Headlines are not written by reporters because the size and length of a headline are usually determined only when the page is being designed.
Newsroom
- The newsroom is the nerve center of any print or online media organization.
- The basic organizational structure consists of an editor-in-chief, a managing editor, and several subeditors and reporter-writers.
- The number and title of subeditors depend on the sections of the paper and the scope of coverage.
- In a national paper, there is usually a subeditor per news cluster, such as political, business, metro, world affairs, arts and leisure, sports, etc.
Learn about the basic organizational structure of a newsroom, including the roles of an editor in chief, managing editor, subeditors, and reporter-writers. Understand how the number and titles of subeditors can vary based on the sections of the publication and the coverage scope.
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