A news editor typically works for a print newspaper or magazine, a television channel, or an online media outlet. He or she is a professional who is normally responsible for assigning articles to other journalists and overseeing their publication. Depending on the size of the organization, he or she may have varying degrees of responsibility. An editor at a large metropolitan newspaper, for instance, might focus specifically on one area, such as local politics. On the other hand, a newspaper editor at a local publication with a smaller staff might play several roles, and have other duties in addition to editing. To be successful, he or she is usually expected to have an extensive professional background in journalism or communications.
Newspapers and other printed periodicals, like magazines, may be local, regional, national, or international in scope. They may report on small community news items, global news stories, and everything in between. A news editor may be one of a number of editors at the same publication. Some newspapers have a daily editor to oversee most items. Other types of editors might have a particular specialty, such as business or sports news, for example.
A news editor’s general duties include choosing news items to be covered and assigning the articles to other writers. The editor usually requests the items by a certain deadline, and then he or she reviews them. Assuming that there are no major changes to be made to the articles, the editor then publishes them. A television or online news editor, like a newspaper or magazine editor, also reviews news items. The stories that they approve are broadcast on television news shows, or published on news and current events websites.
Typically, a news editor’s other daily responsibilities might include reading and revising specific articles, while checking facts and references during the review process. In addition to editing current articles, an editor also develops ideas for future stories. Some may also play a broader role, often overseeing other aspects of publication, like article layout and graphic design.
There is usually a certain amount of formal education and training required to secure a position as a news editor. Typically, they hold a college degree in journalism, communications, or language. Most editors have worked as journalists or professional writers in some capacity. Other professional skills that may be required could include knowledge of computer applications and other technology.