Profession magazine editor

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

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Personality Type

• Artistic / Enterprising

Knowledge

• Press law

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

• 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.

Skills

• Manage staff

  Manage employees and subordinates, working in a team or individually, to maximise their performance and contribution. Schedule their work and activities, give instructions, motivate and direct the workers to meet the company objectives. Monitor and measure how an employee undertakes their responsibilities and how well these activities are executed. Identify areas for improvement and make suggestions to achieve this. Lead a group of people to help them achieve goals and maintain an effective working relationship among staff.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• Consult information sources

  Consult relevant information sources to find inspiration, to educate yourself on certain topics and to acquire background information.

• Ensure consistency of published articles

  Ensure that articles are consistent with the genre and theme of the newspaper, journal or magazine.

• 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.

• Meet deadlines

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

Optional knowledge and skills

Source: Sisyphus ODB