Who is a newspaper editor or sub-editor and what do they do? The task of the newspaper editor, or journalist is to inform the public about events in various areas by means of news media. Editors may do little direct reporting themselves, but many will manage and control the work of others. Sub-editors prepare the work of others for publication.
What are the activities of the newspaper editor or sub-editor job? Journalists (and sometimes editors also) chase up information about events in the area of domestic and foreign policies, economics, culture, sports, social life, etc. according to the editor’s specialisation, including personal visits to places where these events take place and interviews with participants and witnesses – Editors are involved in receiving news from correspondents – monitoring other news media – sorting, analysing, and further processing the information acquired – writing features, reports, and comments on relevant events – editing complete columns or thematic areas in magazines and newspapers – looking for external authors and collaborators, negotiating about articles and other contributions from them, including specification of the form, content, extent, and author’s royalties – editing materials provided by external authors and manuscript adaptation – negotiating about interviews with prominent personalities, experts, competent employees in the state administration, interesting people, etc., performing these interviews, adaptation of texts and their handover for approval -processing text documents for radio and TV – writing essays, glosses, analyses, and other contributions with their own creative journalistic contribution including possibly entire publications (for example books containing interviews with prominent persons, autobiographies of famous sports personalities or artists etc.).
Where is it done and under what conditions? In various environments – from conference rooms and congress halls, to city streets, areas of the countryside to dangerous places – demonstrations or battlefields, as the case may be. Some difficulties must therefore be expected. The more the role is that of journalist and correspondent as opposed to editor, the more likely the environment is to be unpredictable.
What tools/equipment do they use? Primarily tape recorder, microphone, and usual office supplies including the computer, and above all the spoken word.
What do you need to succeed? You need to have graduated in journalism, the ability to use words fluently, quick reactions and judgement, the ability to improvise, creative ability, punctuality, ability to deal with people, and a cultivated appearance and manners.