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Editors (5122)

Occupation related to information and communications technology

Job titles

Nature of work

Editors review, evaluate and edit manuscripts, articles, news reports and other material for publication, broadcast or interactive media and co-ordinate the activities of writers, journalists and other staff. They are employed by publishing firms, magazines, journals, newspapers, radio and television networks and stations, and by companies and government departments that produce publications such as newsletters, handbooks, manuals and Web sites. Editors may also work on a freelance basis.

Fields of interest

  • Working with computers, information technology, and communications
  • Writing, working in communications and information

Main duties

  • Editors perform some or all of the following duties:
  • - Evaluate suitability of manuscripts, articles, news copy and wire service dispatches for publication, broadcast or electronic media and recommend or make changes in content, style and organization
  • - Read and edit copy to be published or broadcast to detect and correct errors in spelling, grammar and syntax, and shorten or lengthen copy as space or time requires
  • - Confer with authors, staff writers, reporters and others regarding revisions to copy
  • - Plan and implement layout or format of copy according to space or time allocations and significance of copy
  • - Plan and co-ordinate activities of staff and assure production deadlines are met
  • - Plan coverage of upcoming events and assign work accordingly
  • - Write or prepare introductions, marketing and promotional materials, biographical notes, indexes and other text
  • - May negotiate royalties with authors and arrange for payment of freelance staff.
  • * Editors may specialize in a particular subject area, such as news, sports or features, or in a particular type of publication, such as books, magazines, newspapers or manuals.

Main characteristics of the occupation

These headings are provided for the following occupation(s) :

Editors (5122)

Employment requirements

  • * A bachelor's degree in English, French, journalism or a related discipline is usually required.
  • * Several years of experience in journalism, writing, publishing or a related field are usually required.
  • * Membership in the Editors Association of Canada may be required.

Skill type

  • Occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport

Skill level

  • Professional

More information

  • * Progression to supervisory and management positions, such as editor-in-chief or managing editor, is possible with experience.

Job titles - Classified elsewhere

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