A managing editor oversees all editorial activities in a news company. As one of the highest-ranking members in such an organization, he or she functions as the second-in-command. Typically, such a person reports to the editor-in-chief, who also can be referred to as the executive editor, chief editor, or simply the editor.
Generally, a managing editor supervises a team primarily consisting of staff writers or reporters, who are responsible for producing the news stories, and researchers or research assistants who help with fact-checking of the news stories. The person at such a high position also oversees the work of interns, who are temporarily employed by the news company to gain experience in the journalism world and may secure a permanent full-time position at the end of their internship. Freelance writers, who are not full-time salaried employees but nevertheless contribute news material, are supervised by this editor, as well.
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A managing editor typically reviews every article produced by the writers. At every review, he or she can demand material to be added to or subtracted from the piece; demand or make corrections; or kill the story, which means that the piece is rejected and never published by the news company. He or she also determines the importance of a story, which influences its placement in a publication or a news broadcast.
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At all times, the managing editor reports to the editor-in-chief, who bears the final responsibility of news decisions. Managing editors are commonly identified with newspapers and magazines. They are also found, however, overseeing teams at around-the-clock cable news networks, or at least supervising newscasts of traditional networks.
Usually, a managing editor has a bachelor's degree in journalism, political science, history, or any of the other liberal arts fields as a minimum educational attainment. Some might have master's degrees; this enhances their expertise as well as their earning potential. Generally, aspiring journalists work at their college newspapers performing writing and editing duties, or as interns for a local or state publication or broadcasting company. This is valuable experience for journalists who aspire someday to advance to the level of editor.
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The journalism field has been downsizing. This is largely due to a decline in print journalism as it struggles to adapt to a free news-driven society fueled by the Internet, as well as a decline in advertising revenue. Regardless of the changes in journalism, though, there should always be a demand and need for managing editors as supervisors of reporting the news.