Bulletin Editor: Afrikaans News - Auckland Park at The South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC)

MAIN PURPOSE OF THE POSITION:

• To lead, guide and provide editorial direction to the production team to deliver compelling and incisive news programmes in accordance with SABC News editorial objectives and the public mandate.

KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES:

• Lead the team in identifying and selecting stories, compose rundowns in accordance with SABC News editorial objectives and the public mandate.
• Lead effective and creative brainstorming sessions to determine content breadth and quality.
• Working within tight deadlines, identify news stories appropriate for target audiences.
• Manage and direct staff in the writing and timeous processing of news stories.
• Ensure the overall quality and accuracy of news content, language context, style, and tone.
• Ensure compliance with SABC News’ ethical, editorial and production standards.
• Optimise news impact with illustrative, audio-visual, and appropriately contextualised script.
• Advise on the best stories to lead and anchor news bulletins, and update stories as new information becomes available.
• Keep up to date with news reporters in the field or at base and brief team on latest news developments.
• Ensure balance in the stories to be featured in the news bulletins and address gaps as soon as it is possible to do so.
• Supervise the performance of the team and give constructive feedback on stories delivered.
• Continually communicate with relevant news editors to find further newsworthy angles.
• Liaise with technical support regarding the specific delivery of news items.
• Assist news presenters with accurate news reading delivery and pronunciations.
• Submit daily production reports to the line manager and indicate problems requiring attention.
• Together with the line manager, process leave applications and check impact on rosters.
• Generate a monthly roster for the desk and ensure adequate staffing.
• Communicate with platforms on structural changes, changes in time slots, bulletin durations.
• Lead productive and creative editorial team sessions to determine appropriateness of editorial content for bulletins.
• Ensure that news content meets the highest editorial and linguistic standards as per editorial policy.
• Be alert to any content that may require audience warnings and disclaimers and ensure that these are reflected prominently prior to airing the stories.
• Assign team writing and productions responsibilities as required.
• Adhere to the SABC Editorial Policies, BCCSA and Press Codes.
• Provide input in the development of Standard Operating Procedures (SOP) and monitor the implementation thereof.
• Support effective implementation of Performance Management System in accordance with organizational policy and procedures.

REQUIREMENTS:

• National Diploma / Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism, Communication, Media Studies or equivalent qualification.
• 4 years’ proven experience in editorial and writing environment, two of which must be in a supervisory capacity.
• Mother-tongue proficiency and exceptional writing skills in Afrikaans.
• Understanding of all regulations, legislation and policies impacting broadcasting.
• Knowledge and understanding of television news production processes.
• Exceptional editorial and journalistic acumen.
• Ability to work under pressure and perform outstandingly to tight deadlines.
• Extensive knowledge of the relevant systems and broadcasting operations.