A position for an online sub editor exists within our editorial (digital) department, reporting to the Digital News Editor of The Citizen. This position is office-based in Industria West, Roodepoort.
General:
Must be competent as a copy sub.
Must be able to work according to strict deadlines.
Must be passionate about online news and have a strong news sense and interest in current affairs.
Will work office-based shifts as per operational requirements.
Copy-editing:
Writes or rewrites headlines that work well online, not relying on the headlines off the wires, from journalists or what was in the paper.
Able to correct common and more subtle errors of grammar, typos, etc.
Ability and application to rewrite and re-angle copy whenever necessary.
Give feedback to team members who commit the same errors repeatedly.
Should be able to prioritise stories.
Should have enough of a grounding in the facts of whatever stories are dominating the news cycle that he or she will be able to contextualise stories accurately where required or ask the journalist concerned to research and add required information.
Should be able to spot and rectify mistakes or have these re-checked if something does not seem right.
Should be aware of the laws that govern our industry so that we do not get into trouble legally or from a more general perspective.
Names need to be checked and their spelling needs to be consistent.
Monitor analytics to maximise all stories and articles published on citizen.co.za.
Adhere to Google algorithm requirements and edit with SEO and Google search in mind.
Study and adhere to The Citizen and citizen.co.za’s voice and style guide.
Adhere to Code of Ethics and editorial standards and practices.
Knowledge/experience:
Matric/Grade 12 qualification or SAQA Accredited equivalent
An appropriate bachelor’s or higher degree in journalism/linguistics or appropriate work experience.
Minimum five years’ experience in mainstream journalism in a national news room.
Advanced awareness of media law and current trends.
The Citizen is a daily national newspaper, distributed Monday to Friday, with its core circulation in Gauteng (82%). Super Saturday Citizen appears on Saturdays.
