Editorial Writing (UNIT- I, II & III)

The Editorial Page: Concept

The "edit page" of a newspaper is essentially an opinion page. It is a prestigious part of the
newspaper which often gets the direct attention of the editor. It reflects the policy of the
newspaper and makes a major contribution to the shaping of its image.

Daily newspaper mostly comments on political and economic developments, both domestic
and international. Sports, crime and any odd happening is grist to the editorial writer's will.
Business newspapers, of which now there are quite a few in the country, naturally devote a
major portion of their editorials to economic and financial subjects and these tend to be
specialised. Weeklies and other magazines ensure that their comment do not become out
dated until the next issue is out.

In fact, all newspapers with some standing pay extra attention to the editorial page. Most
often, the editorial pages, which are expected to mirror the policy of the newspaper, are
given a serious, sometimes even a dull look. Until a few years ago, edit pages did not have
any photographs or graphics. But of late things are changing and some newspapers now
carry a photo on the edit page. On the edit page, generally, there are two/ three edits in the
first two three columns of the page, one main article in the centre of the page, one or two
small article(s) in columns 7-8 position. At the centre of the page is a light article, generally
humorous, of human interest or informative. Since it is in the middle of the editorial page, it
is also known as "middle". Besides, letters to the editor are also accommodated on the edit
page. Often a cartoon appears on this page too.

Normally, newspapers do not carry photographs of the editor with the editorial. However,
Magazines often publish the photo of its editor. On rare occasions newspapers publish
editorials with the signature of the editor. The editorial page crew consists of editorial
writers and is directed by a 'chief editorial writer' and 'editor' or 'editor in chief', or
sometimes an 'editorial page editor'.

If a newspaper has several editions such as The Times of India, the same editorials generally
appear on the same position at all centres. This is essential for the overall personality of a
newspaper, its image and for making an impact on a particular issue. However, it is not
essential that in all editions of the same newspaper, everyone should carry the same
editorials.

Brief History of Editorials

Editorials are the content component of a journal. In fact, the most intimate form of writing
for communication is expression of a communicator's personal views or opinion on a
subject, the communicator thinks to be of general interest. Viewed in this framework, the
editorial writing started when someone thought of conveying the views he/she thought
must be shared with everyone who is a member of our information society.
In his book 'The Press and America', Edwin Emery says that in the 17th century the papers in
the big U.S. cities often printed pamphlets concerned with political and social issues. These
pamphlets were offered to readers through the paper. By 1800, the day of the pamphlet
had very nearly passed, and the editorial had supplanted it. Joshep Pulitzer, the famous U.S.
newspaper man, used editorials for public purposes and his campaigns. Through news items
and editorials, of his paper World, Pulitzer inaugurated a series of public services. The
World's editorials were of boundless coverage and were free from all sorts of advertising
domination.

The Courant, the first successful newspaper with a fixed periodicity, carrying an editorial
appeared only in the year 1702. Evolution of Editorial found as an Integral Part of Print
Media. In fact, editorial writing as we understand it today evolved with the onset of
professionalism in Indian newspapers. Professionally run newspapers segregated news from
views. They earned their place due to the fact that news attracts a reader fast and views or
opinions of editors/writes came in next. Newspapers were initially launched to express
opinions of the persons who brought them out.

All initial newspapers in India, Hickey's Bengal Gazette (1780) to Raja Ram Mohan Roy's
Sambad Kaumudi (1821) or Mirat- ul- Akhbar (1822) were meant to express strongly held
beliefs and views of their promoters. This trend continued till the Times of India (1838), The
Statesman (1875) and The Pioneer (1864-65), all inspired by the British newspaper industry,
appeared in India and gave new professional dimension to print media. The pre-occupation
of newspapers with political developments is a legacy of the days of our freedom struggle,
but in course of time, this has given way to a wider perspective embracing economic, social
and international developments.

Defining editorial, its importance and purpose

An editorial can be defined as an article in a newspaper or magazine that expresses the

opinion of its editor or publisher individual. It is an article, typically short, expressing an
opinion or point of view. Often, but by no means always, written by a member of the
publication's staff. It is a leading article or leader that presents the opinion of a journal
newspaper on an issue. It reflects the majority view of the editorial board. Because of their
importance, editorials can be said to be the heart and soul' of a journal. In fact, it is the first
introduction to a journal or newspaper. It can also said to be the face of a Newspaper.

Editorials are basically expression of opinion by an individual or a small group which is

viewed as being important for the people by and large. Editorials are not orders,
announcements and general instructions or suggestions. The opinions and views contained
in an editorial set the tone of public discourse in a democratic set up. Editorials are vox-
populi.

Editorials are not news, but rather reasoned opinion based on facts. Whatever the topic,
newspapers hope their editorials raise the level of community discourse. They are thought-
provoking and raise questions in mind of those who read it.
Editorials are often called are an essential and most important part of a newspaper or
journal. These are written by the head of the editorial team or publisher of a newspaper or
periodical journal. There are editorials on politics, economy, sports, science, health,
environment, law, media, education culture, religious, international relations etc. Then
there are national, regional and local newspapers. Every newspapers or journal has its own
specific readership. These can have different and even conflicting ideas and ideologies.

Since politics plays a major part in national life, its importance is reflected in the newspaper
editorial pages. Social issues steal the editorial highlight on benchmark occasions such as the
eruption of a caste or communal conflict or the occurrence of some henious crime that
shocks society. On such occasions, while presenting its views, the editor not only expresses
his concern and anguish over the development, but also suggests remedies to pre vent a
recurrence of the problem.

Magazine Editorial

Magazine editorials are generally printed on weekly and monthly basis. They often address
current events or public controversies. Generally, magazine editorials fall into four broad
types: news, policy, social, and special. When covering controversial topics such as election
issues, some editors run "duelling" editorials, with each staking out a respective side of the
issue.

Many magazines also feature editorials, mainly by the editor or publisher of the publication.
Additionally, most print publications feature an editorial, or letter from the editor, followed
by a Letters to the Editor section. Most editorial pieces take the form of an essay or thesis,
using arguments to promote a point of view. Newspapers often publish editorial pieces that
decline are in line with their editorial slants, though dissenting opinions are often given
space to promote balance and discussion. Requirements for article length varies according
to each publication's guidelines, as do a number of other factors such as style and topic.

Types/kinds of Editorials

The classification could be according to the purpose of editorial, i.e. it may be informative,
argumentative, or entertaining. An editorial may also be classified on the basis of its form of
composition, i.e. it may be narrative, descriptive or expository. It can also be classified on
the basis of its appeal to readers emotion or intellect. An editorial may also be classified on
the basis its contents which may be political, social, economic, historical, scientific, etc.,
under local, national, regional and international heads.

Then there are editorials that amuse and entertain. The light pieces are usually published as
the third edit by major English newspapers. Humour on the editorial pages adds to their
appeal for the reader, whose interests are not confined to politics and economics. Most
newspapers carry, atleast according to their style, one, two and some, three editorials daily.
The total length of the editorial input for the day usually does not exceed 1,200 words,
because they have to fit in the traditional space allotted for them every day. Editorials can
broadly be categorized into the following:
 1. Appreciative: These editorials admire people and organizations for something done
well. They are not common as the traditional role of media in our democratic set-up
critical appraisal of some development and not to commendation certifications.

2. Critical: These editorials constructively criticize actions, decisions or situations while

providing solutions to the issues under discussion. The Immediate purpose there
editorials is to get readers to see and be aware of the problem before country or
society.

3. Interpretative: Editors often use such editorials to explain the way their newspaper
thinks about how a sensitive or controversial subject should be handled by the
authorities concerned or stake-holders.

4. Persuasive: Editorials of persuasion aim to give their readers a positive frame of

mind so that they are encouraged to take a specific, positive view.

5. Campaign Editorials: Such editorials are mostly written in journals of political

parties, religious organizations or in government publications in support of some
programmes of larger social good like pulse polio drive etc.

6. Advocacy Editorials: Such editorials are often found in the publications of NGOs and
other voluntary organizations in subject of the cause they work for. NGOs often work
for poor and disadvantaged sections of society like unorganized labor, poor women
and children, and physically challenged people. Editorials their publications seek
support work for such people.
7. Academic and Philosophic Editorials: Such editorials written academic journals and
journals brought out religious spirituals organizations.

8. Satirical Editorials: Often the third editorial some newspapers especially a satire. The
the mind of a reader who reading heavy stuff on the editorial page. There some
journals based on satire.

Editorial Policy and Guidelines

While the editorial represent the policy of the newspaper, the selection of articles of
opinion from writers outside does not depend on endorsement of their views by the
newspaper concerned. The edit page articles are meant to broaden the horizon of news and
opinion coverage. On political issues, the line which each newspaper takes depends on its
policy, outlook and political prediction. Main points are as follows:

• In selecting news as well as opinion pieces, certain standards have to be maintained.

The elementary principle is that they should not be defamatory or offend good taste,
the annual reports of the Press Council of India, which gives details of the complaints
against authorities and the press, contains guidelines which would be helpful both to
the reporter and the leader writer.
 • When dealing with communal and regions matters, the press is expected to exercise
due care and caution so that unhealthy and communal passions are not roused.
• The complaint of defamation cannot stand against bonafide reporting of the
proceedings of Parliament or that of a law court, of course if they are not sitting in
camera.
• In some of the cases dealt with by the Press Council, it has laid down the following
principles;
• Sensational headlines with incorrect innuendos lend an unethical character to
publications:
• An editor is expected to verify facts before publishing any article likely to damage the
repuation of a person, institution or organization.
• Editorials should not use irresponsible, filthy or scurrilous comments.
• Any comment against the administration or any person must be based on
information, the accuracy of which has been carefully checked and verified from
authentic sources. Even after such verification, the comments should be couched in
decent, dignified and restrained language.
• Editorials conceived in bad taste bordering on scurrility and with a motive to
denigrate, cannot be said to by good ones.
• It is gross impropriety for a newspaper to publish a fabricated or concocted story,
and also an editorial on it.
• Contradiction pertaining to defamatory articles containing personal allegations
should be published promptly with due prominence.

Structure of An Editorial

An editorial is similar to an essay in that it focuses on a specific issue or topic, offers a thesis,
and provides evidence and supporting arguments to convince its readers. The title clearly
identifies the topic; the introductory statement includes the writer’s view on the issue; the
body provides supporting evidence and examples; and the conclusion restates the writer’s
view and provides a final appeal for the reader to agree to that view. Here is a common
structure of an editorial:

• Introduction/Lead - state the problem: An objective explanation of the issue,

especially complex issues
• Body - expresses an opinion (Argument, Evidence, Counterargument etc.): Opinions
from the opposing viewpoint that refute directly the same issue the writer
addresses. The opinions of the writer delivered in a professional manner. Good
editorials engage issues, not personalities and refrain from name-calling or other
petty tactics of persuasion.
• Solution - offers a solution to the problem: Alternative solutions to the problem or
issue being criticized. Anyone can gripe about a problem, but a good editorial should
take a pro-active approach to making the situation better by using constructive
criticism and giving solutions.
• Conclusion - emphasizes the main issue: A solid and concise conclusion that
powerfully summarizes the writer's opinion. Give it some punch.
Planning & Writing editorial/Rules of Editorial writing

Newspapers or journals know what their readers want from them. The editorials are often
written keeping the readership in mind. The editorial page of the newspaper lets the writer
comment on issues in the news. All editorials are personal but the topics must still be
relevant to the reader. Editorials try to persuade the readers. Its goal is to move the readers
to some specific action, to get them to agree with the writer, to support or denounce a
cause, etc.

An editorial is one of the writing styles with reaction to timely news, event or an issue of
concern. Most editorials are used to influence readers to think or act the same way the
writer does. For writing an editorial, you need to move in a definite direction and take the
following steps:

Select a Topic: The topic you choose is the most important part of writing an editorial for
your journal. The best topics are those pertaining to current issues, which are in public
domain. Since everyone is interested in such issues, your editorial piece will get instant
readership.

Firm up Your Approach: As a media person, you have your own views and opinion on
important matters in public discourse. Besides your opinion on the policy of your
organization on a topic of current interest also matters. Therefore, have a definite policy line
on the issue. For instance, one political party wants article 370 of the constitution granting
special status to the state of Jammu and Kashmir to be abrogated. The other party wants it
to be retained. You need to ask yourself, are you for it or against. You have to choose before
you write your editorial on this subject. You cannot be on both sides of issue. An editorial
must express an opinion clearly.

Do Basic Work: First of all think of a good but small two-three word headline that will
attracts a reader's attention and motivate him/her to read your editorial. While writing a
good editorial you must have necessary facts, figures and even quotes of knowledgeable
people in support of your line of argument. Moreover. you should use data to prove your
line of argument. Steadily develop your case in support of your editorial line so that the
strongest argument comes in the end and convinces the reader.

Keep Deadline in Mind: In media, you are always racing against time and deadlines are
important. While writing editorial that you should always keep deadline in mind. Since we
are not supposed to leave mistake in an editorial, it is revised again and again and any this
takes time.

The following is a 10-point recipe for you to write an editorial:

1) The Theme / Subject: Present your views briefly but unequivocally using fact and figures
where necessary.

2) The Presentation: Talk about the issue clearly and say why it is important.

3) The Approach: Look rational. Discuss the opposite viewpoint as well.

4) The Language: Use key words again and again for the readers to understand it well. The
language of an editorial has to be simple, straight and sober. It should be such as to go
straight to the point and leave no ambiguity in the mind of the reader. There is no place for
slangs and outdated expression in it. It should be impressive without being boisterous.

5) The Thrust: Encourage critical thinking and pro-active reaction.

6) The Wordage: Restrict it around 800-1000 words.

7) The Style: Never use 'T' in an editorial even if you are the boss of newspaper or periodical

8) Revision: Once done you have to do two things - first revise it and then edit it. Revising
should be done to ensure that your editorial is giving the message which you wanted to give
to your readers. You can still think of a change in the basic argument put forth by you. Think
if it is needed.

9) Editing: Editing is needed to remove any mistakes of spelling or grammar and to time
your language. But revision and editing should be done with a cool mind. Editing is different
art but you need to careful with your language. You need to check your draft on the
following counts.

10) Conclusion: In editorial, your conclusion should sum up that you have written about. The
conclusion should create an impact on the minds of readers and they should feel satisfied
even if convinced.

Qualities and responsibilities of the Editorial Writer

A conventional editorial may be defined as a critical interpretation of significant, usually

contemporary, events so that the publication's typical reader will be informed, influenced or
entertained. The world 'critical' is used as evaluating and not exclusively as fault-finding. In
other words it usually is a considered statement of opinion. It has an introduction, a body
and a conclusion. The editorial articles are also called "leaders". News interpretation and
background articles are different from the editorials in that they do not seek to convey the
editorial views on the subject.

Lester Markel, a famous Sunday editor of the New York Times has said: "What you see is
news; what you know is background; what you feel is opinion."

An editorial writer while writing editorial either attempts (1) to inform or explain, (2) to
persuade or convince, or (3) to stimulate insight in an entertaining or humourous manner.
Editorial writer generally looks for the following things when writing an editorial:

• that the topic chosen for editorial is current and timely, and
• it is linked to some recent development of importance, and common interest.
• the topic of the editorial has relevance in catchment area of the publication (where
the newspaper or journal is circulated and read).
• that it is clearly written and has simple and grammatically correct language.
A good writer approaches an editorial like an audition. He/she carefully composes and
arranges sentences, paying close attention to the lyrical nature of his words. A good writer
discovers and develops his own ideas. He searches for offbeat topics and avoids
conventional assignments that prove tedious. He is an excellent researcher, taking note of
everything that improves the quality of his information. A good writer spends his energy
perfecting the lead of his story, weaving intricate connections throughout the whole of his
piece to maintain reader interest. He understands his audience is judging him and uses his
fear to his advantage. A good editorial writer

• should be Honest and Subject Matter Expertise

• should have Command Over Language
• Should have Honest, Integrity, Style and Voice
• should possess Ability To Synthesize Information and Deal With Criticism

Editorial Department

The editorial desk/department of a newspaper organization is its heart and soul. In fact, the
entire business of a successful newspaper depends on the effective, efficient and prompt
operations in this department. The functions of a newspaper's editorial department are
extremely crucial and significant.

The editorial department of a newspaper/magazine collects, receives, processes and

finalises the news and all other writings relating to news for publication in the
newspaper/magazines. For collecting the news efficiently and promptly and making it fit for
presentation to the readers in a readable, attractive and digestible form, the editorial
department of a newspaper has to take the entire responsibility. The three main operations
of the editorial department are carried on as follows:

1) Newsroom: Editing and processing the news on the editing desk;

2) Newsgathering: Making arrangements for gathering news from the city where the paper
is located, other parts of the country and other countries. Prominent news categories
include political; economic: financial and business; sports; crime; social; educational;
cultural; health and environment. All this news may come from Parliament/Assembly, stock
markets, chambers of commerce, labour organizations, courts, hospitals, universities, police,
social and cultural organizations and so on. Anything happening anywhere in any part of the
globe in which the readers could be perceived to be interested, needs to be covered in
newspapers.

3) Views and Opinions: Every newspaper/magazines has one or more editorial pages which
reflect the policy of the organization. The means that every newspaper has its own opinion
on all serious national and international issues. Opinions have to be in conformity with the
newspaper's policy which is determined by the proprietor/owner. The chief editor or editor
as the head of the editorial department has to ensure that opinions expressed in editorials
are in line with the publication's policy. The editorial page or section carries material such as
editorials, special articles, letters to the editor, special columns and cartoons.
Each department has to discharge its own functions as sleekly as possible. The responsibility
of the editorial department is to marshal all resources to produce a complete and satisfying
newspaper/ magazine issue. The functionaries/profiles or staff in the editorial department
are as follows:

• Editor/Chief Editor/Managing Editor

• Associate Editor/s
• Deputy Editor/s
• Senior AssistantEditor/s
• Assistant Editor/s
• Chief/News Editor/s
• Deputy/Chief News Editor/s
• Chief Sub-Editor/s
• Chief of Political News Bureau
• Deputy Chief, Political News Bureau
• Diplomatic/Political Correspondent
• Special Correspondent/s
• Staff Correspondent/s
• State Bureau Chief/s
• City Editor/Chief Reporter/s
• Stringers

Editorial Desk Staff

Editors at newspapers supervise journalists and improve their work. Newspaper editing
encompasses a variety of titles and functions. These include:

• Copyeditors
• Department editors
• Managing editors and assistant or deputy managing editors (the managing editor is
often second in line after the top editor) News editors, who oversee the news desks
• Photo or picture editors
• Section editors and their assistants, such as for business, features, and sports
• Editorial Page Editor who oversees the coverage on the editorial page. This includes
chairing the Editorial Board and assigning, editorial writing responsibilities. The
editorial page editor may also oversee the op-ed page or those duties are assigned
to a separate op-ed editor. Top editors, who may be called editor in chief or
executive editor
• Readers' editors, sometimes known as the ombudsman, who arbitrate complaints
• Wire editors, who choose and edit articles from various international wire services,
and are usually part of the copy desk
• Administrative editors (who actually don't edit but perform duties such as recruiting
and directing training)
Some Important Profiles—

Sub-Editor: Press sub-editors are journalists who work for national daily or weekly
newspapers; local and regional newspapers and magazines. They are responsible for
ensuring that the tone, style and layout of final copy match the publication's house style and
target market. The role involves processing all the copy before it is published to ensure that
it is accurate, makes sense and reads well. They also lay out the story on the page and may
also be involved with overall page design.

The sub is a versatile man in the newspaper. He knows something of everything and
everything of something. He can be depended upon to handle any kind of copy-home,
foreign, financial, and commercial, sports, etc. His sound general education and training will
help him edit easily and efficiently all kinds of copy full of technical terms and complicated
issues.

As with many roles in journalism, sub-editing is a demanding role that requires constant
attention to detail within a fast-paced working environment. Work activities vary and can
depend on the extent to which production and layout work falls within a sub-editor's remit.
Only senior sub-editors would be expected to have much legal knowledge. Common
activities that form much of the work of most Sub-Editors include:

• Editing copy to remove spelling mistakes and grammatical errors; Rewriting material
so that it flows or reads better and adheres to the house style of a particular
publication;
• Ensuring that a story fits a particular word count by cutting o
• expanding material as necessary;
• Writing headlines that capture the essence of the story or are clever or amusing;
Writing stand-firsts (brief introductions which sum up the story);
• Liaising with reporters or journalists to clarify facts and details about a story;
• Editing press releases or reports; Compiling routine information, such as tables of
sports results or financial data;
• Checking stories to ensure they are accurate, do not break the law or go against the
publication's policy;
• Cropping photos and deciding where to use them for best effect;
• Writing the captions for pictures;
• Discussing concerns with editors;
• Proofreading complete pages produced by other sub-editors;
• Working to a page plan to ensure that the right stories appear correct place on each
page; in the correct place in page;
• Laying out pages and, depending on the nature of the role, playing a part in page
design;
• Adding last minute news stories;
• Keeping up to date with sector issues, e.g. by reading related publications,
Chief Sub-Editor

Chief Sub-Editor is the person who directs and supervises the editorial side of the
newspaper. Chief Sub Editors review, rewrite, and edit the work of writers. They may also
do original writing. The primary role of the editor is:

• To manage the newspaper.

• Determines whether a submitted manuscript publishing.
• Selects expert reviewers and an area editor to evaluate the submitted is appropriate
for manuscript.
• Renders a final editorial decision on each manuscript based on the recommendation,
journal priorities, other similar manuscripts in process and related considerations.
• Communicates directly with the author and the review team.
• Schedule accepted manuscripts for publication. Balance workloads for the area
editors and reviewers.
• Resolve any conflicts.

Assistant Editor: Assistant Editor may also be called as associate editor. He/she prepares
written material for publication, performing any combination of following duties:

• Reads copy to detect errors in spelling, punctuation, and syntax.

• Verifies facts, dates, and statistics, using standard reference sources.
• Rewrites or modifies copy to conform to publication's style and editorial policy and
marks copy for typesetter, using standard symbols to indicate how type should be
set.
• Reads galley and page proofs to detect errors and indicates corrections, using
standard proofreading symbols.
• May confer with authors regarding changes made to manuscript, select and crop
photographs and illustrative materials to conform to space and subject matter
requirements and may also prepare page layouts to position and space articles and
illustrations.
• He may write or rewrite headlines, captions, columns, articles, and stories according
to publication requirements.

Copy Editor: Copy editors mostly review and proofread/edit a reporter's copy for accuracy,
content, grammar, and style. Copy editing is the process by which an editor makes
formatting changes and other improvements to text. Copy, in this case a noun, refers to
material (such as handwritten or typewritten pages) to be set for printing. A person who
performs the task of copy editing is called a copy editor.

Executive or Managing Editor: The editorial department actually has two sides, and usually
these are separately responsible to the publisher. They are 'news' and 'editorial'. The news
side is usually under the supervision of a managing or executive editor.

Major newspapers and newsmagazines usually employ several types of editors. The
executive editor oversees assistant editors, who have responsibility for particular subjects,
such as local news, international news, feature stories, or sports. Executive editors generally
have the final say about what stories are published and how they are covered. The
managing editor usually is responsible for the daily operation of the news department.
Assignment editors determine which reporters will cover a given story.

In smaller organizations, such as small daily or weekly newspapers or the membership or

publications departments of non-profit or similar organizations, a single editor may do
everything or share responsibility with only a few other people. Executive and managing
editors typically hire writers, reporters, and other employees. They also plan budgets and
negotiate contracts with freelance writers.

Deputy Editor:

A deputy editor is an editing professional who may work in print, Internet, or video media.
He or she typically assists the main editor, also called the editor in chief, in preparing films,
magazines, books, newspapers, or websites for publication. Deputy editors typically have
extensive training in their field and are generally considered mid-level employees.

A deputy editor provides support to the chief editor throughout the editing processes that
lead to the release of a publication. They prepare magazines, books, newspapers, films, or
websites for publication. The edits include proofreading, formatting manuscripts, making
changes to grammar, and sometimes writing content. They also undertake some
administrative duties such as managing editorial staff, report writing, and preparing
presentations for management.

Deputy editors work closely with other professionals such as designers, writers, marketing
personnel, and vendors. They mostly work for newspapers, broadcasting stations, publishing
companies, and magazines. To succeed in their role, deputy editors should have writing
skills, creativity, organizational skills, communication skills, interpersonal skills, attention to
detail, and should be well-versed with current trends.

The Editor: The primary role of the Editor is to manage the journal. The editorial page is the
editor's responsibility. The editor has a team of assistant editors, who are usually specialists
in diverse areas of current affairs on which the newspaper has to comment and come out
with editorials/articles. These include economic matters: international issues, national
politics, and then several other subjects such as education, science and technology; women,
children, other weaker sections of society; religion, community relations, etc. The editor and
his assistants also receive letters from the readers, contributions from freelance writers and
journalists. It is the editor who has a final say in all these matters. It is also the editor who
commissions special pieces from established and well-known writers and journalists.

An editor's responsibilities vary with the employer and type and level of editorial position
held. Editorial duties may include planning the content of books, technical journals, trade
magazines, and other general-interest publications. Editors also decide what material will
appeal to readers, review and edit drafts of books and articles, offer comments to improve
the work, and suggest possible titles.

Editors must know what is worth publishing, what is timely, what is important to readers. A
newspaper editor can sense when a tepid story is going to heat up. The duties of an editor
range from deciding what will be published to ensuring that writing is free of grammar,
usage and punctuation errors. An editor works with a writer to ensure that the story or
article achieves what the writer and publication intend. The story must be accurate, the
writing to the point and well organized. The editor ensures that the article fits the style and
tone of the publication. An editor tries to maintain a reader's trust or confidence in a
publication. He/she

• Determines whether a submitted manuscript is appropriate for Marketing Science.

• Selects expert reviewers and an area editor to evaluate the submitted manuscript.
• Renders a final editorial decision on each manuscript based on the AE
recommendation, journal priorities, other similar manuscripts in process and related
considerations.
• Communicates directly with the author and the review team.
• Schedules accepted manuscripts for publication.
• Balances workloads for the area editors and reviewers.
• Resolves major conflicts.

The editorial Board

The editorial board (sometimes known as an advisory board) typically consists of a group of
prominent people in the newspaper journal. It is a panel of individuals at a publication like a
newspaper, magazine or journal that makes decisions about editorial style, tone, and
positions. The board shapes the overall position of the publication, issues editorials on
topics of interest, and evaluates material submitted for publication to confirm that it
conforms to guidelines. Having an editorial board is very important: they act as
ambassadors for journals. To some extent the quality of a journal is judged by the members
and academic credentials of its editorial board. Aside from providing prestige, the role of the
editorial board is to advise and support the editor. Here are the main roles under Editorial
board:

1. Editor-in-Chief: oversees the functions of all other segments and is the primary
decision-maker for all manuscripts. The editor-in-chief needs to approve or reject
the decision of the Associate Editors. She/he can re-assign this role to designated
deputy editors. In addition, the editor-in-chief assigns roles to members of the
editorial board and is able to execute changes in the journal sections without the
need for BOT approval.
2. Deputy editors: they assume the role of Editor-in-Chief in their absence and assist
the Editor-in-Chief and other section editors in editing articles for style and length
and ensuring that the journal has a consistent style. They can serve as primary
decision-makers if and when asked to do so by the Editor-in-Chief.
3. Associate editors: decision-making editors that oversee and decide whether to
publish, revise, or reject an article or not. They are expected as well to play a major
role in recruitment of potential publications and are expected to provide at least one
contribution per year.
 4. Section editors: direct managers of journal sections; they put a preliminary decision
on papers assigned to them by the editor-in-chief, oversee the assignment and
review process, and serve as reviewers in some cases.
5. Editors: they constitute editors that are not assigned to any of the above categories;
essentially, editors form the editorial board. They contribute by publishing and/or
recruiting contributors (publications, reviewers…) to the journal, review manuscripts
on the request of the editor-in-chief, deputy, associate or section editors, and give
their opinions on assigned tasks.
6. Technical Review & Publication Board: This board includes Technical Review Board,
Research Methodology Editors, Statistical Reviewers, Language Editors, Social Media
Team, IT Team including a Network and Website Editor, Distribution Officer,
Financial Analyst, Copy Editor, Grammar and Punctuation Editor.

Editorial Conference/Meetings

Editorial board meetings are useful opportunities to meet with some or all of the editorial
board members to brief them on issues, take questions and also gain ideas for policies and
upcoming journal editions. They can be done face to face, or via telephone or video
conferencing. Meeting board members is a key way of networking and building and
strengthening the relationship with your editorial board.

Importance of letters to editor

Every newspaper as a separate column for them- letters to editor. These are not personal
and informal letters in the sense that they don’t touch upon matters personal and intimate.
Letters are often among the best-read section of any newspaper, for this is where readers
express their opinions. Some newspapers limit letters to a certain number of words – maybe
150 or 300 -- while others publish letters of virtually any length.

Letters to the editor' are the best pointer to people's ideas, opinions, comments and
responses to current affairs and social and political matters. It is possible to judge the
climate of contemporary popular opinion on common issues by scanning through the letters
column of a newspaper over a period of time.

The paper serves as a very useful medium for mass social communication. Through the
printed matter you talk to others and hear their voices in turn. These letters are published
usually in the opinion columns. Though an editor cannot be expected to publish all letters
representing various points of view on a controversial matter, he is expected to make an
honest endeavour to select and publish a balanced gist of these letters on the issue.

While writing a letter for the newspaper, one should keep the following points in mind:

• Your letter should be formal both in content and style. Formal style does not
necessarily mean fixed or stereotyped phraseology.
• Your letter should present facts t make its points clearly and logically.
 • Your letter should be brief and to the point. The editor has no time to read very long
letters. In any case, he will probably edit your letter, and publish only the operative
parts of it. You should do the editing yourself.
• The language of your letter should be simple but clear and precise. Avoid using 'set'
phrases as far as possible. The language should reflect your own thinking on the
subject.
• The general tone of your letter should be academic. It should indicate understanding
of the topic and logical thinking about it on the part of the writer. You are expressing
an opinion as a responsible and educated member of society. Your letter will
perhaps be read by countless men and women. You should put across your views
courteously and convincingly.

Concept of op-ed page

An editorial is a statement or article by a news organization, newspaper or magazine that

expresses the opinion of the editor, editorial board, or publisher. An op-ed, abbreviated
from opposite editorial due to the tradition of newspapers placing such materials on the
page opposite the editorial page, similar in form and content to an editorial, but represents
the opinion of an individual contributor, who is sometimes but not always affiliated with the
publication. These two terms are sometimes used interchangeably by the public, although it
is important to understand that they have different definitions and characteristics.

A newspaper publishes its views on current events -- both local and national -- on its
editorial page. This is where letters to the editor, political cartoons, and editorials --
unsigned commentary that reflects the collective position of the newspaper's editorial
board -- appear. Also under the "editorial" umbrella are the op-ed pieces. Op-ed is a
contraction of "opposite the editorial" page (not "opinion editorial," a common
misconception) . Op-eds run on the page opposite the editorial page and often publish
opinion articles written by people not employed by the newspaper.

Opinion As a Market

Newspapers are an important source of opinion making. This is done through every aspect
of newspaper writing. Though newspapers have separate pages for news and views,
opinions are at times interwoven with news items as explanations, backgrounds and
interpretative paragraphs. This is so, particularly in respect of major developments and
when the subject is not one with which the reader is expected to be familiar. Similarly,
editorials or leader pieces contain essential background to support their arguments. Only a
small section of readers or you can say quality people turn to the edit page. These quality
people are often better aware of important news than ordinary ones.

Therefore, sometimes it is assumed that readers of editorial pages are generally aware of
what has appeared in the news pages to appreciate the arguments and conclusions. It is a
section in newspaper or magazines in which the writers or editors share their opinion on
ongoing topics. It is believed to be a brief essay on current issues; the writers share their
opinion in regards to the publishing house which is seen as the opinion of the entire
publishing house. If an article is written by someone else who belongs to the outsiders, then
the disclaimer is shared.

Editorials in the changing Media Scenario

As a society changes with time media too has to change and reinvent itself. The pace of
change can be slow or fast depending on several factors. The massive changes in
information and communication technology (ICT) in the past few decades or the
computer/internet revolution as we call it also has had a deep impact on media world. The
journals and their editorials have also changed with the change in technology.

New Information technology has converted our world into a global village. There is deluge
of information. Therefore, there is no need for editorial writers now to draw attention of
audience to those information inputs that used to be privilege of the elite and were not in
public domain. Readers now a days know facts and are aware of many things but they are
often not able to comprehend and analyse what they know.

With so much of information, all around the audience also makes up its minds on various
public policy issues of economy and polity. This has limited the role of editorial writer as an
opinion maker and perspective giver.

In the past decades, we have also witnessed death of ideology. Debates are, no more done
on communism or capitalism. Political parties do raise slogans but without ideological
moorings. Literature and other areas of creative expressions are also losing ideological
undertones. This is also impacting media and editorial writers. The emerging scenario is
witnessing editorial writing without any ideological basis. In the 20th century, journalism
ideology was a guiding light for most of the editorial writers.

Moreover, due to impact of modernization, ethical standards have also undergone a

change, social norms are changing and traditions are fast disappearing giving way to new
behavioral patterns. We now live in an open society. The media has to cater to a new
generation of readers who are different from their parents generation.

Now the editorials are no more heavy on thought and lack theoretical background. The
reason is easy to understand. Often editorials, even in well-reputed journals betray absence
of any sense of history. Editorials or historicals are now being addressed to mass audiences
instead of a sober and thinking class as before and this has changed both their language and
content.

Other things being equal, it is obvious that the wider your knowledge of men and affairs the
more successful you are likely to be. Such knowledge must come chiefly through reading,
and the habit of reading is one you would do well to acquire.