Night News Editor at Media24 (Pty) Ltd

Main purpose

The Night News Editor’s main responsibility is to ensure a solid offering of high-quality news articles for AM publication. The successful candidate will work with news editors and journalist to shape angles, sharpen copy and write spectacular headlines. 

Key responsibilities

• The candidate will liaise closely with the Head of News to identify premium news stories for AM publication. He/she will liaise with news editors and reporters about story progress and delivery. He/she will check that stories are delivered into the CMS, marked and linked.
• Ensure that the optimum angle for every story is identified. This entails considering the original angle, but changing it if necessary, and in conjunction with the reporter. This is one of the most crucial functions of this position.
• Ensure that AM stories have creative and gripping headlines. No headline must be bland or boring and must be accurate and enticing to readers to engage with our journalism.
• Stories must be structured logically and in such a way that the headline, angle and body of the story makes sense. Stories should be reangled if necessary and reasoning communicated to reporters.
• Check that a multiplicity of sources are located and quoted in stories.
• Ensure that stories comply with the SA Press Code and legal requirements.
• Monitor quality local news sources to identify stories for News24.

Skills and competencies

• The successful candidate has an excellent track record of production work and/or news editing.
• A deep knowledge of South Africa’s current affairs and political landscape.
• A demonstrated commitment to the highest standard of quality journalism.
• Proven people skills and the ability to communicate clearly and work under pressure.
• Excellent writing, rewriting and/or editing skills.

Qualifications and experience

• At least 7 years' experience in the newsroom.
• A solid track record of identifying strong, exclusive angles that serve readers well.
• A relevant tertiary qualification.
• Digital experience in a news environment is recommended.