How would you run your newsdesk - Freelance UK Forums

FreedomOfSpeech · 03-26-2008, 11:09 AM

Hey guys, long time lurker first time poster

I got a MAJOR interview tomorrow. One of the things i have to talk about is this:

"I would also like you to discuss how you would manage the news desk and what strategy you would employ to take it to the next level."

So, just as a research and help me prepare - any of you kind people tell me how you would answer this question? I.e What are the specifics of running a news desk, and what strategies have you employed to make yours stand out.

THANKS!!!

FreedomOfSpeech · 03-26-2008, 11:58 AM

and yes, i full well understand due to the slow pace of this forum that i am unlikely to get a reply by 17:50 tomorrow when my interview happens...

Lupita · 03-31-2008, 02:26 PM

I'd ensure the news desk prioritises domestic stories for your front-page Mr Editor, while ensuring the international/secondary focus is also tailored to your core reader/audience in the UK.

With this in mind. I'd be somewhat guided by the story that is the most salacious, has the biggest 'gossip' value (exp: I can imagine me excitedly saying to a friend, 'have you heard...' to the first line/impact sentence of the news story) and has/could have the biggest short term/ long-term impact on the people buying your publication Mr Ed.

I also believe in not changing the decided news story beyond a certain deadline, but would have consulted with the team regularly for that story to have been selected as the lead.

My desk would also require a public hotline for news tips, a cadre of journalists with good industry contacts and a diverse range of secondary sources to inform us - from blogs and online journals, to trade magazines, wikis, podcasts, as well as virtual worlds, international newspapers, freesheets and lifestyle mags.

When the desk's journalists should pitch, research and compose their stories would somewhat depend on the deadlines of your publication Mr Ed, but that too is a priority for me; to ensure all final copy is ready before going to press in a timely fashion as is humanly possible (this allows for last-minute amends to be made or mistakes to be spotted by subs and us)!!

First thoughts anyway; sorry for any spelling mistakes - good luck with the interview!

03-26-2008, 11:09 AM	#1 (permalink)
FreedomOfSpeech New Poster Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2	How would you run your newsdesk Hey guys, long time lurker first time poster I got a MAJOR interview tomorrow. One of the things i have to talk about is this: "I would also like you to discuss how you would manage the news desk and what strategy you would employ to take it to the next level." So, just as a research and help me prepare - any of you kind people tell me how you would answer this question? I.e What are the specifics of running a news desk, and what strategies have you employed to make yours stand out. THANKS!!!

03-31-2008, 02:26 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lupita Regular Poster Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 61	I'd ensure the news desk prioritises domestic stories for your front-page Mr Editor, while ensuring the international/secondary focus is also tailored to your core reader/audience in the UK. With this in mind. I'd be somewhat guided by the story that is the most salacious, has the biggest 'gossip' value (exp: I can imagine me excitedly saying to a friend, 'have you heard...' to the first line/impact sentence of the news story) and has/could have the biggest short term/ long-term impact on the people buying your publication Mr Ed. I also believe in not changing the decided news story beyond a certain deadline, but would have consulted with the team regularly for that story to have been selected as the lead. My desk would also require a public hotline for news tips, a cadre of journalists with good industry contacts and a diverse range of secondary sources to inform us - from blogs and online journals, to trade magazines, wikis, podcasts, as well as virtual worlds, international newspapers, freesheets and lifestyle mags. When the desk's journalists should pitch, research and compose their stories would somewhat depend on the deadlines of your publication Mr Ed, but that too is a priority for me; to ensure all final copy is ready before going to press in a timely fashion as is humanly possible (this allows for last-minute amends to be made or mistakes to be spotted by subs and us)!! First thoughts anyway; sorry for any spelling mistakes - good luck with the interview! Last edited by Lupita; 03-31-2008 at 10:57 PM.

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03-26-2008, 11:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
FreedomOfSpeech New Poster Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 2	and yes, i full well understand due to the slow pace of this forum that i am unlikely to get a reply by 17:50 tomorrow when my interview happens...