Real Time News Editor
The real-time news editor will lead, manage and inspire a team of breaking news journalists at the Idaho Statesman as they produce powerful journalism for readers in our community and region.
The editor must have significant experience with fast-paced coverage and promotion of breaking news and viral storytelling on social media, with the ability to recognize a trend, spot conversations and stay on top of what readers care about daily. He/she must have the highest journalism ethics and sound judgment; extraordinary skills as an editor; a commitment to understanding issues his or her team reports on; and the ability to coach and collaborate with reporters and other editors to achieve high-quality journalism.
This editor must have a deep understanding of, and enthusiasm for, the modern, digital news ecosystem; a firm grasp of the art and the science of reaching digital readers through search, social media and other distribution channels; and a complete commitment to defending the values of the First Amendment, holding leaders and institutions accountable and speaking truth to power.
Our future lies in digital, and the editor will lead his or her team to focus squarely on serving the measurable needs and interests of digital readers. This will require a passion for reaching digital readers and growing digital readership as well as the ability to ignite that passion in others; the regular use of readership analytics and other data to inform decision-making; and a commitment to and skill in producing exclusive, high-impact journalism. Being available nights and weekends for breaking news coverage guidance is important.
The real-time editor plays a crucial role in coaching reporters to put our readers at the center of everything we do. He or she will discuss every story idea with a reporter or visual journalist, asking who would care about the story. When necessary, the content editor must be the one to reject ideas or stories that do not fit McClatchy’s mission -- freeing the reporter to spend time on work that matters to our readers. The editor will monitor his or her reporters’ progress, ensuring everyone has the training and coaching needed to succeed in the new audience-focused mission.
Requirements:
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Skill and versatility as an editor and a writer, including the ability to shape everything from breaking news briefs to longform magazine-style pieces in a way that best serves and engages the broadest possible audience.
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Experience and expertise with social media channels and analytics
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Sound news judgment, and a demonstrated ability to “see the story” that is going to matter to readers and to anticipate reader interests before they exist.
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Excellent journalism ethics.
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An understanding of the need for strong visuals to help tell stories.
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An interest in, and aptitude for, storytelling using a broad range of media, including the written word, video, photography, podcasts and other audio, and whatever comes next.
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Experience managing a team of reporters