Newspaper Roles - The Guardian



Newspaper roles

Editorial

Editor responsible for overall content of the paper, makes sure everything runs to plan and has the final say on what appears in the paper.

News editor a senior journalist, in charge of a team of journalists and a section of the paper, who decides what stories should be covered. News editors look at the stories coming in and decide which ones to follow up.

Reporter obtains information and writes stories. May cover all types of stories or may be a specialist who is concerned with a specific area of the news, such as sport or crime.

Photographer takes pictures needed for each edition. Usually managed by a chief photographer and report to the picture editor.

Layout sub editor designs pages (deciding how best to present stories, photographs, etc), sends the stories and headlines to the copy subs, then outputs the completed pages to the print sites.

Copy sub editor edits stories for style and sense, cuts them to fit the page, and writes the headlines and captions.

Revise sub editor checks and improves the work of the copy subs.

Picture editor commissions freelance and staff photographers and selects the best pictures for stories.

Features editor responsible for articles that take a more in-depth look at issues.

Designer designs layouts that are attractive and accessible to the reader while maintaining the look and identity of the newspaper.

Graphic artist produces informative graphics, charts, maps and diagrams to help explain a story visually.

Imaging operative scans or digitises prints and slides in preparation for the printing process.

Commercial

Advertising manager has overall responsibility for all advertising within the newspaper. There are two main types of adverts: display adverts - for products, with photographs and graphics, placed by business and classified adverts – smaller adverts in columns, covering jobs, courses, holidays and announcements.

Marketing manager responsible for the marketing and advertising of the paper to the general public to increase sales.

Print manager controls the production of copies of the paper at the print site.

Distribution manager makes sure that the papers go out to news vendors and customers.

Newspaper writing

The Five Ws of Journalism

In a news report, the opening paragraph or sentences are the most important in establishing a summary of the whole story, encouraging the reader to find out more. In this way they differ from narrative stories, which tend to start by introducing the setting and characters, developing a chronology of events until the end, when the outcome is revealed. The opening paragraph of a news report usually answers the following questions, which are termed the five Ws of journalism. These are:

• What happened?

• Who is the story about?

• Why did it happen?

• Where did the story happen?

• When did the story take place?

Journalism tends to reverse narrative writing (inverted pyramid). It is top heavy with information. This is because most readers skim the news and read just two or three paragraphs unless they are interested. Also, news stories are cut from the bottom if too long so it is important that the key information is established at the beginning.

Delayed drop

One type of introduction in journalistic writing that does not follow the five Ws rule is the delayed drop. In this type of writing the substance of the story is deliberately kept from the reader to create a feeling of suspense. It can be used in atmospheric stories in which the effect depends on how the facts are presented, in human interest stories where a profile of a person is being built up, or in humorous ones. The delayed drop is used a lot in feature writing.

Feature writing

Features tend to be subjective and reflective articles in newspapers. They contain material such as comment, in-depth analysis of people and events, opinion, advice or assessment. A lot of feature articles tend to be placed in pre-selected parts of the paper, such as the analysis and leader pages or in separate supplements or magazines, such as the Guardian’s G2, themed supplements and Weekend magazine and the Observer’s Review sections and OM.

Typographical terms

Masthead title piece the newspaper’s title displayed on the front page.

Edition the Guardian normally prints five editions (versions with some changes and additional late stories) every night. A system of stars indicates which edition it is.

Teaser this is an information panel on the front page that tells the reader about other stories in the paper to tempt them inside.

Solus advert this is a stand-alone advert in a very prominent and effective position on the front page, usually in colour.

Index this helps the reader to find items quickly and easily.

Headline a phrase that summarises the main point of the article. Headlines are in large print and different style in order to catch the attention of the reader.

Standfirst block of text that introduces the story, normally in a style different to the body text and headline.

Byline the line above the story, which gives the author’s name and sometimes their job and location.

Body text text that makes up the main body of an article rather than headlines, standfirst and captions.

Photograph helps make the page look more interesting, it can add understanding of a story and/or entice someone to read the article.

Caption a brief description of a photograph or graphic.

Sidebar this is a panel or box on a page containing graphics or other information about an article.

It is eye-catching and breaks the story up into different elements.

Font style and size of type face.

Copy written material to be published.

Types of stories

Journalists separate stories into types depending on their length or their position on the page. Some of these are:

Lead story/splash the most important news story of the day. It is

supported by the main headline and sometimes the

main photograph.

Basement story/piece story at the bottom of the page which can often be quirky or amusing.

Page lead main story on a newspaper page. Usually the longest

story on that page with the biggest headline.

Support usually the second longest story on a page supporting the main story.

Shorts stories between three and eight paragraphs in length.

Fills stories of no more than one or two paragraphs used to fill a page.

NIB stands for news in brief. One or two paragraph stories which only give basic facts. Often arranged in a list with small headlines.

NAG stands for news at a glance. Short news summaries giving the main points of a story.

Features subjective and reflective articles. They contain

material such as in-depth analysis of people and

events, opinion, advice or assessment.

Leader main editorial column where the opinion of the newspaper is expressed on leading/main news stories.

Op ed/facing page faces/opposite the leader page, carries columns and letters.

Careers in journalism

Journalism is a highly rewarding career, one in which you can go to work every day and not know what challenges may face you. It is highly competitive; there are many more people who want to be journalists than possibly ever could be. Under 1,000 people enter journalism each year.

Qualities of a journalist

There are certain qualities which editors look for in a would-be reporter:

• an interest in current affairs

• a lively interest in people, places and events

• an ability to write, to gather facts, sift through them and present them in an easily comprehensible way

• good spelling, grammar and punctuation

• an appreciation of the part newspapers play in the community and society

• a willingness to accept irregular hours and an ability to work under pressure to meet deadlines

• determination and persistence

How to get into journalism?

Trainees come into the industry in a variety of ways. Some are recruited directly by regional or local newspapers and carry out basic training under the terms of a contract. This is known as direct entry. Most trainees are recruited after attending vocational education and training courses for post A-level students and graduates. Such courses are generally held at colleges accredited by the National Council for the Training of Journalists. Some of these courses are for graduates only. This route is known as pre-entry. The Scott Trust, owners of the Guardian Media Group, sponsors six bursary placements for a postgraduate diploma in newspaper journalism.

Would-be journalists should develop a portfolio of published work (cuttings). A good way to get cuttings is to do reporting for student newspapers. Some colleges will only grant places to people on pre-entry courses if they have already been on a brief work experience placement at a newspaper. It is important to get some idea of what the job entails by shadowing reporters and seeing how a paper is put together.

Guardian Newspapers Ltd recruits qualified journalists with at least three years’ relevant experience. Many of our journalists have gained experience in the regional press prior to joining. Emily Bell (from 1995 - media business editor of the Observer, from 2000 - editor in chief of Guardian Unlimited) studied Law at university before moving into journalism.

“My first job was at Big Farm Weekly as a trainee reporter, which sounds as unglamorous as you can get. But in fact it was great – on a small trade mag dealing with large business and environmental issues I had a real range of subjects to tackle. I might spend the morning in a ministerial briefing and the afternoon up to my knees in manure asking a dairy farmer about BSE.”

Useful organisations to contact

National Union of Journalists

The NUJ is the world’s largest journalists’ union with over 30,000 members in England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland. Their address is:

Headland House

308-312 Gray’s Inn Road

London WC1X 8DP

Tel: 0207 2787916

Fax: 0207 8378143

.uk

National Council for the Training of Journalists

The National Council for the Training of Journalists was founded in 1951 to administer training for the UK newspaper industry. The NCTJ offers basic journalism training through its colleges/universities and by distance learning. Short mid-term courses are also available for journalists wishing to progress their careers.

Latton Bush Centre

Southern Way, Harlow

Essex CM18 7BL

Tel: 01279 430009

Fax: 01279 438008

Email: Info@



The Newspaper Society

The Newspaper Society, founded in 1836, is the voice of Britain’s regional press. It represents and promotes the interests of over 1,300 regional and local, daily and weekly, paid-for and free titles.

Bloomsbury House

74-77 Great Russell Street

London WC1B 3DA

Tel: 0207 6367014

Fax: 0207 6315119

.uk

Scott Trust Bursary

The Scott Trust, owners of the Guardian Media Group, sponsors six bursary placements for a postgraduate diploma in newspaper journalism (this is a nine-month course, which runs from September to June and includes work experience; applications close in the February). The bursaries pay course fees and give a £4,000 grant towards subsistence expenses. Work placements are decided by the course tutor and most are held with Guardian Media Group’s regional newspapers, though there is no offer of employment attached to the Bursary. The post-graduate diploma is offered at both of the following universities and may be contacted for further information regarding the Scott Trust Bursaries:

Department of Journalism or: Department of Journalism

City University University of Central Lancashire

Northampton Square Lancashire

London EC1V 0HB Preston PR1 2HE

The History of the Observer

The Observer is Britain’s oldest Sunday newspaper and was first published on Sunday December 4 1791. Its founder, WS Bourne, promised that the Observer would provide “the contemplation of wisdom”.

In 1812 Observer journalist Vincent George Dowling witnessed the murder of prime minister Spencer Perceval and helped to apprehend the murderer.

William Innell Clement purchased the newspaper in 1814. One of Clement’s innovations involved the use of wood-cut illustrations. A “special illustrated issue” of the Observer was produced to celebrate the wedding of Queen Victoria and Prince Albert on February 10 1840.

“The cost of the lace alone on the Queen’s dress was £1,000. The satin, which was of a pure white, was manufactured in Spitalfields. The veil, which is made to correspond, afforded employment to the poor lace-workers for more than six weeks.”

During the American civil war (1861-1865), the Observer supported the North American cause. Many people disagreed and circulation suffered.

Julius Beer bought the Observer in 1870 and on his death in 1880 ownership of the newspaper passed to his son, Frederick. His wife, Rachel, bought the Times in 1893 and from 1891 to 1904 she edited both newspapers.

Circulation was less than 5,000 when Alfred Harmsworth - later Lord Northcliffe - bought the Observer in 1905. In 1908, Northcliffe appointed James Louis Garvin as editor. By 1909 circulation had increased to 40,000. In 1911, the Astor family purchased the paper. As editor, Garvin proved to be a man of influence and insight. In 1919, following the end of the first world war, he wrote a famous editorial against the Treaty of Versailles:

“The Treaty ... scatters Dragon’s teeth across the soil of Europe. They will spring up as armed men unless the mischief is eradicated... The root-vice of the whole Treaty is that it leaves the German race no real hope except in revenge – no matter how long the revenge may have to be deferred.”

In 1942 David Astor took over as editor and began to modernise the paper. He replaced the advertisements that had been on the front page since 1791 with news and photographs.

The Observer criticised the British government’s actions during the Suez crisis in 1956: “We had not realised that our government was capable of such folly and such crookedness”. Again, many readers did not agree with the Observer’s viewpoint and circulation suffered.

Between 1977 and 1981, the Observer was owned by Atlantic Richfield, and from 1981 to 1993 by Lonhro. Its owner ‘Tiny’ Rowland, had a bitter battle with the Fayed brothers for the ownership of Harrods. When the government published a report criticising Fayed’s conduct, details of the report were printed in a special midweek Observer.

In 1993 Guardian Media Group bought the Observer from Lonhro. One hundred members of Parliament signed a petition in support of the Guardian bid — the under-bidder was the Independent which would have merged it with the Independent on Sunday.

In June 2002 the Newsroom, Guardian and Observer Archive and Visitor Centre, was opened to protect and promote the histories of the newspapers through educational programmes, exhibitions and research.

“The Observer is Britain’s oldest Sunday newspaper and it has been making mischief, poking its nose where it shouldn’t and reporting the best in arts, culture, politics, sport, business and skulduggery for over two hundred years. We aim to keep it that way and maintain its position as Britain’s most exciting Sunday newspaper.”

Roger Alton, editor of the Observer from 1998

The History of the Guardian

In 1819, the volunteer Yeoman cavalry charged at a peaceful demonstration in support of political representation for Manchester. Eleven people were killed and hundreds injured. The Peterloo massacre, as it became known, was witnessed by John Edward Taylor, a cotton trader and newspaper reporter. His reports of the event were openly critical of “official” accounts. Two years later he founded the Manchester Guardian “in the liberal interest” - the first edition appeared on May 5, 1821.

At first the Guardian was published weekly at a price of 7d (equal to £1.49 today). In 1855 stamp duty on newspapers was abolished and the Guardian was produced daily at a price of 2d.

In 1872 Charles Prestwich Scott was appointed editor of the Guardian, a post he occupied for the following 57 years. His beliefs influenced the development of the paper. For the 1921 centenary he wrote:

“Comment is free. Facts are sacred... The voice of opponents no less than that of friends has a right to be heard.”

Through the Guardian, CP Scott championed many issues, some of which were unpopular. These included the right of women to vote and the creation of a Jewish homeland — Israel. In 1910 Emmeline Pankhurst, founder of the Women’s Social and Political Union, wrote to C P Scott seeking his support:

“You perhaps more than any single man outside the Cabinet have the power to bring this dreadful struggle to an end.”

When John Scott inherited the Guardian in 1936, he realised that the future of the Guardian would be threatened by inheritance tax on his death and therefore he transferred the ownership of the Guardian to a trust. To this day, the Scott Trust ensures the independence of the Guardian and fosters the principles that CP Scott established.

In 1956, the Guardian, unlike most of the British press, criticised the British government’s military action during the Suez crisis. Circulation increased by 10%.

In 1959, Manchester was dropped from the masthead to reflect the increasingly national and international character of the paper. Throughout the 1960s the Guardian was radically overhauled. A second printing works was opened in London; a financial crisis was averted; the paper was extended and redesigned; and core advertising markets were developed. Today, the Guardian carries more recruitment advertising than all of the other British broadsheets combined.

In 1997, the Guardian was the first British national newspaper to appoint a readers’ editor. Each day in a special column, the readers’ editor corrects and clarifies things that were wrong or unclear.

The Guardian’s investigation into conservative MP Neil Hamilton won the 1997 Team Reporting Award at the British Press Awards. The Guardian was named Newspaper of the Year in 1997, 1998 and 1999.

The modern look of today’s Guardian was initiated in 1988 when the newspaper was split into two sections and a new masthead introduced. The Guardian Unlimited websites were launched in January 1999 and by March 2001 GU had become the most popular UK newspaper website.

The Guardian’s writing following the terrorist attacks on America of September 11 2001 was commended by Guardian readers and won awards from the press industry.

"As a New Yorker for the past 30 years, I wanted to thank your many fine reporters and columnists from the bottom of my broken heart for continuing to provide exceptional coverage and commentary of the calamity that has befallen us. ... by verbalising my rage you show me how to contain it in order to preserve my sanity. I want more, more. "

Letter to the editor, September 2001

The Newsroom, Guardian and Observer Archive and Visitor Centre opened in June 2002. The Centre preserves and promotes the histories and values of the newspapers through educational programmes, exhibitions and research.

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Writing a news report

The traditional story

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Telling a story

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