Newspaper
editors are often in charge of hundreds of staff – but more than a
third admit to having no formal management training.
The
Department of Journalism at the University of Central Lancashire asked
145 editors and senior journalists for their views on the state of
editorial management training.
Of 108 who responded, 83 per cent
said they thought it was important for editors to learn how to motivate
staff, 72 per cent said it was important to learn negotiating skills
and 80 per cent said they needed to learn how to “manage change”.
The
university is offering a new course from September called Journalism
Leaders, which will be available via “e-learning” direct to work
computers.
Head of the Department of Journalism, Mike Ward, said:
“As all forms of media companies continue to diversify their
portfolios, ambitious journalists who have set their sights on editors’
seats now need a whole new set of skills.
“It’s
no longer enough simply to have that great touch with a headline or the
gut reaction that says a splash is a splash. Editors and
middle-managers need to know about a whole raft of issues. In many
cases they are now dealing with the competing demands of paid-for
newspapers, free papers, a website, magazines or TV and radio stations
– sometimes being produced under the same roof with the same staff.
“The
leadership skills needed to pull off the juggling act are complex and
can’t be acquired without stepping back from the pressures of day to
day work. Our new programme is designed to equip the leaders of the
future whether they work in print, broadcast or online.”
To find out more go to the website: www.ukjournalism.org/jleaders
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