How to Be News Editor - Job Description, Skills, and Interview Questions

Jul 8, 2020 / 5 Minutes Read / By Albert

How to Become

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Steps How to Become

Obtain a Bachelors Degree. Most news editor positions require a bachelors degree in journalism, communications or a related field. During the course of study, students should take courses in journalism, writing, editing, media law, and ethics.
Gain Experience. Most news editors have a minimum of two to five years of experience working for newspapers, magazines, websites, radio, or television stations. Experience is gained through internships and entry-level positions such as reporter, writer, or editor.
Build a Professional Portfolio. Aspiring news editors should build an impressive portfolio of published works. This portfolio should include clips from various publications and media sources.
Advance Your Career. News editors may advance their career by taking on additional duties, such as managing other editors or making hiring decisions. They may also be responsible for managing budgets, overseeing marketing campaigns and developing new ideas.
Keep Up with Industry Trends. News editors should stay up-to-date with current trends in the industry by attending workshops, webinars and conferences. They should also read industry publications and maintain an active presence on social media networks.

Poorly written content can lead to a lack of reliability and competence in the eyes of readers. When content is not up to par, readers may doubt the accuracy and quality of the information presented. This can be further affected by the lack of proper grammar, inaccurate facts, and an overall lack of organization.

To avoid this, editors must ensure that all content is thoroughly researched and written in a concise, clear manner. Furthermore, editors must also check for any factual errors or typos so that readers receive accurate and reliable information. By doing this, readers can be confident in the knowledge that the content they are reading is accurate and up to date.

In sum, reliable and competent content relies on the editor's attention to detail and commitment to providing readers with the most accurate and trustworthy information.

You may want to check Audience Engagement Editor, Developmental Editor, and Literary Editor for alternative.

Job Description

Research and develop story ideas.
Assign stories to writers and freelancers.
Edit and proofread stories for accuracy, readability, and adherence to style guidelines.
Track and manage budgets for stories.
Monitor news sources for breaking news and potential story ideas.
Publish content in a timely manner.
Monitor audience engagement with online content.
Manage a team of writers, editors and designers.
Implement strategies to increase readership and engagement.
Develop relationships with news sources for exclusive content and access.

Skills and Competencies to Have

Knowledge of journalistic best practices, including ethical standards
Knowledge of the news cycle and current events
Excellent writing and editing skills
Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects
Strong attention to detail
Ability to work within tight deadlines
Computer proficiency
Good research skills
Good communication and interpersonal skills
Ability to work collaboratively with a team

The ability to write effectively is one of the essential skills for a news editor. Being able to write concisely, accurately, and with clarity is vital to ensuring that news is reported accurately and in a timely manner. Poorly written articles can lead to confusion and misrepresentation of the facts, which can damage a news organization's reputation.

Furthermore, the ability to craft compelling headlines is important in order to draw readers in and make people want to read an article. a good news editor must be able to stay on top of current events and be willing to research topics thoroughly in order to provide the most up-to-date information. By honing these skills, a news editor can ensure that the audience receives accurate and timely information.

Magazine Managing Editor, Creative Editor, and Video Story Editor are related jobs you may like.

Frequent Interview Questions

What experience do you have working in the newsroom?
What do you think makes a successful news story?
How do you stay up to date on current events?
What strategies do you use to generate story ideas?
How do you prioritize the stories you are responsible for?
How do you ensure accuracy and fairness when editing news stories?
How do you handle tight deadlines?
How would you handle a conflict between two reporters?
What steps do you take to ensure editorial standards are maintained?
How do you ensure that each news story meets the publication's style guidelines?

Common Tools in Industry

Text Editor. A software application used to create and edit text-based documents (eg: Microsoft Word).
Image Editing Software. Software used to manipulate digital images (eg: Adobe Photoshop).
Content Management System (CMS). A platform used to store, organize, and distribute content on a website or blog (eg: WordPress).
SEO Tools. Software used to optimize websites for search engine ranking (eg: Google Search Console).
Project Management Software. Software used to manage projects and tasks (eg: Asana).
News Aggregator. A system that collects data from multiple sources and presents it in one place (eg: Feedly).
Social Media Management Platforms. Software used to manage a brands presence on social networks (eg: Hootsuite).
Data Analysis Software. Software used to collect, process, and analyze data (eg: Tableau).

Professional Organizations to Know

American Society of News Editors (ASNE)
Online News Association (ONA)
Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ)
National Association of Black Journalists (NABJ)
Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA)
National Association of Hispanic Journalists (NAHJ)
Radio Television Digital News Association (RTDNA)
National Lesbian and Gay Journalists Association (NLGJA)
Native American Journalists Association (NAJA)
Investigative Reporters and Editors (IRE)

We also have Editor-in-Chief, Senior Editor, and Copy Chief/Managing Editor jobs reports.

Common Important Terms

Headline. A brief, attention-grabbing phrase that summarizes the main idea or focus of a news article.
Copy. The written content of a news story.
Slant. The angle of a news story which is determined by the writers opinion or perspective.
Lead. The first sentence or paragraph of a news article which summarizes the story and draws the reader in.
Byline. The name of the author of a news story, typically printed at the beginning or end.
Source. An individual or organization providing information for a news article.
Fact-Checking. The process of verifying the accuracy and legitimacy of facts in a news story.
Attribution. Crediting quotes and facts to their original sources in a news article.
Bias. Prejudice in favor of or against one thing, person, or group compared with another, usually in a news story.
Plagiarism. Passing off someone else's words or ideas as one's own without giving proper credit in news writing.

Frequently Asked Questions

What type of software is typically used by News Editors?

News Editors typically use a content management system (CMS) or other types of software designed for editing and publishing news stories.

What skills are needed to be a successful News Editor?

News Editors need to be proficient in writing, editing, proofreading, and managing teams of writers and editors. They must also have strong organizational and communication skills as well as an understanding of current events and news trends.

How many hours does a News Editor typically work each week?

News Editors usually work between 35-40 hours a week, depending on the size and scope of their role.

What is the salary range for News Editors?

The salary range for News Editors typically ranges from $30,000 to $80,000 per year.

What are some of the duties of a News Editor?

The duties of a News Editor include selecting news stories, assigning writers, editing stories, coordinating production, and ensuring accuracy and quality before publication.