Some of the major qualities that make a good news editor are
- S/he must have a mastery of the written or spoken language of the medium of expression: This will enable him/her to interact easily with news sources, eyewitnesses or even the victims of events.
- S/he must be current and keep abreast of events and happenings: In the media industry, yesterday’s news is stale and no more needed. To remain relevant in the industry, therefore, the reporter must keep abreast of happenings in and around him/her.
- A good reporter must be fair, accurate and objective in his news writing and reporting job. Fairness, accuracy and objectivity are news virtues, which the profession thrives on. Any attempt to compromise any of these values makes a mess of the reputation and credibility of the industry. These qualities of a reporter must be jealously guarded.
- A good reporter must have perseverance: Perseverance is having the staying power and refusing to give up even when the situation calls for giving up. A good reporter must have the ability to stay longer and under stress or pressure.
- A good reporter must have the ability to embark on creative risk and courage especially in reporting coups, wars, conflicts, crime, disaster etc.
- S/he must have the ability to ferret out news through the process of monitoring people and events.
- S/he must also possess good observatory skills and have an eye for details: Poorly trained reporters look without seeing. The good reporter is able to see leads and news worthy situations by merely observing people and situations. Whenever the good reporter looks, he/she sees. He/she is also able to taken in a lot of details by mere observation.
