Editor and Publisher

Editor is a very broad title for people who work for organizations such as book publishers, newspapers, and magazines. Editors are usually distinguished by the particular function they oversee. Some examples of editorial titles are executive editor, managing editor, copyeditor, page editor, section editor, headline writer, and photo chief. Generally [Page 273]editors set the editorial policy for their publication. They are responsible for determining issues such as the design, content, focus, and audience of the publication. Editors also make day-to-day decisions on what's important to readers, on content, and on ethics. They may ask questions of reporters and authors to strengthen their piece and check facts for accuracy. In addition, editors may rewrite parts of a piece or change the order of presentation to make it more readable and appealing. Some editors are involved in managerial decisions; for example, they may hire and fire personnel, and they may give input and sometimes final say on editorial budgets, including salaries, travel budgets, other expenses, and equipment budgets.

A publisher is typically the chief officer of a newspaper, magazine, or publication. His or her role is often determined by the nature of the publication. Publishers are the on-site authority for the organization; for example, they may set the editorial policy of the publication, including the political stance it favors. In newspapers, publishers typically reserve their editorial input for the opinion or editorial page, where writers tackle social and political issues affecting their communities. Often publishers oversee the fiscal health of the publication, thus serving the interests of a higher authority such as a newspaper chain, communications conglomerate, publishing company, or stockholders. Because these higher authorities want a return on their investment, the publisher must determine the best ways to produce a profit margin, to minimize or at least carefully control operating expenses, and to maximize market share and general revenue through such avenues as paid circulation, advertisements, commercial printing, and Internet subsidiaries. In general, publishers delegate editorial, advertising, and production oversight to subordinate editors and managers in each respective department, maintaining overall control by monitoring market share, profit margins, revenues, operating expenses, and other factors. Publishers can also be ombudsmen and address public concerns; the “public” may include readers who question the content or display of a story, photograph, or headline; readers who want to praise the newspaper or magazine for its work; and readers who complain about everything from missed home deliveries to the opinions expressed by columnists. Often publishers become members of civic organizations, and become involved in charities and sponsor local events. They often deem it essential to be visible in the communities they serve because of the widespread belief that the publication is a community business and therefore benefits from a healthy community.