Radio News Editor - Job Profile

About the role

The Radio News Editor’s role is to oversee and direct the work of a news team supplying news content for one or more different outlets, from single local radio stations to international news services.

The scale of the role may vary considerably, ranging from managing and deploying small teams to running large and complex news operations. Depending upon the nature and scope of the particular role, and the size of the news team, News Editors may also be expected to carry out some or all of the work of a Reporter or Broadcast Journalist, as well as having overall responsibility for the production of news content.

The job title News Editor is used throughout Commercial Radio. Within the BBC some News Editors may have different job titles, including Senior Broadcast Journalist or Programme Editor

What is the Job?

News Editors have day-to-day control of news output, identifying stories, and selecting and commissioning material for bulletins or programmes. They set and drive the news agenda in line with the approach and style of particular Radio stations or programmes and their audiences.

News Editors generate original ideas and approaches to the way stories are covered; assign work to their team, briefing and deploying Reporters and Broadcast Journalists; and check the progress of work, supervising and advising team members as required. They allocate technical resources and prioritise their use. They themselves may also be expected to report, produce or present, when required.

They have editorial control over news output and must ensure that professional journalistic standards are maintained, and that news content complies with the law, broadcast regulation, and organisational policy. They are the first point of contact for legal or editorial queries.

News Editors manage programme budgets and optimise the use of available technical resources to realise story or programme ideas. They usually have managerial responsibility for their team, motivating them, developing their skills and reviewing performance. They need to ensure that there is effective communication, both within their team and between their team and others in the station or wider organisation.

They must keep abreast of local, regional, national or international issues of relevance to their station or programme output, and should have good contacts within the communities they serve.

Typical career routes

News Editors have usually been successful Radio Broadcast Journalists or Reporters for several years before attaining the role of News Editor. They have considerable experience as journalists, and must be able to demonstrate sound editorial judgement. They are likely to have a recognised journalistic qualification.

News Editors have usually followed one of the three principal routes into Broadcast Journalism: traineeships offered by a few of the larger employers; moving into Radio after first working as a print journalist; or completing an accredited pre-entry degree or post-graduate qualification.

Career progression for Radio News Editors may involve moving to a larger radio station; to a programme with a wider audience; from a local to a regional or national news operation; or into television. They may also move into Programme Production, or into Management roles.

Essential knowledge and skills

News Editors need the following:
a strong sense of what makes a good news story
sound editorial judgement
ability to generate original ideas and to think creatively about how to communicate them
excellent writing and story-telling skills which they can adapt for different audiences and platforms
in-depth knowledge of the Radio market, different station and programme styles and audience demographics
confidence and decisiveness
the capacity to work effectively under pressure, react quickly and meet tight deadlines
determination, diplomacy and excellent interpersonal skills
a facility for managing creative teams, and encouraging acceptable creative risk taking
ability to give and receive feedback and manage performance
ability to deal effectively with team members of differing temperaments and morale
ability to encourage frank and constructive reviews of news or programme output
the capacity to maintain objectivity in order to be fair and balanced in the treatment of stories
a thorough knowledge of the law, ethics and industry regulation, and broad experience of their application in radio and the practice of journalism
knowledge of when it is necessary and how to acquire the relevant clearances and licenses, including copyright and music clearances
knowledge of the requirements of the relevant Health and Safety legislation and procedures
a wide ranging interest in news and current affairs and particularly in those issues relevant to the communities and audiences served by their particular stations or programmes
a high level of IT skills – particularly good word-processing and data handling skills
the ability to learn how to use a variety of recording equipment and to operate different radio studios
the ability to conduct effective internet research, use relevant computer software for audio editing, and, when necessary, to manipulate visual images or edit video, and upload all such material for use on websites
ability to manage programme budgets and resources

Training & qualifications

While working as Broadcast Journalists or Reporters those who wish to become News Editors need to acquire experience of dealing with a wide range of editorial issues. They must consolidate their knowledge and understanding of media law and regulation, and acquire practical experience of their application. They should also seek work on projects that give them opportunities to support or mentor others. This depth of experience may be developed in a variety of different working environments, and in both commercial and publicly-funded Radio.

Most employers offer a variety of forms of training to keep their journalists’ skills and knowledge up-to-date, and to introduce new technologies. Aspiring News Editors must ensure they take advantage of all such training, which may be provided in-house, or supplied by external trainers, depending on the size and structure of different Radio organizations and employers.

News Editors can also pursue opportunities for basic management training, either through employers’ schemes, or by gaining external qualifications, or undertaking relevant short courses.

Once in post, News Editors are expected to develop their skills on the job, but most employers offer some form of induction for those new to management roles. Colleges and private training providers also offer a range of courses which may contribute to the professional development of individual News Editors, and may provide opportunities for them to gain promotion to more senior editorial or management roles.

What can I expect to get paid?