DEVC 136: Production & management of a community newspaper

Phases of production in a community newspaper

Pre-production

Production

Post-production

Pre-production

• Tasking

• Documents and prep work

• Work schedule

Tasking

Editorial Board, committee assignments

Documents and prep work

publication plan, research, permits/letters, etc

Work schedule

deadlines

Editorial Board

• Editor in chief

• Associate ediitor

• Managing Editor

• News Editor

• Feature editor

• Special Sections Editor

• Layout Artist

• Online editor

Editor-in-Chief

Has overall responsibility for editorial direction, ensures each issue is consistent with overall vision and editorial policy

Associate Editor

Ensures quality of content, recommends to EIC

Managing Editor:

Manages workflow, deadlines, production, staffing, budget

News Editor

Ensures timely production of quality news stories

Feature Editor

Ensures timely production of quality feature stories

Special Sections Editor

Ensures timely production of quality special stories/sections

Layout Artist

Produces final layout of the publication

Online editor

Manages online posting of stories

Editorial staff

• Reporters/writers

• Researchers

• Photographers

• Graphic artists

Committee Assignments

• Documentation

• Finance

• Publicity

• Logistics

• External relations

Publication Plan

• Detailed document that guides the production of a publication in a given period.

• Ensures consistent coverage, efficient resource management, and maximizes story impact

Usually includes the following:

• Publication format & specifications

• Topics, story formats & page allocation

• Pagination plan

• Resource allocation (reporters, researchers, tools, budget, etc.)

• Production schedule

• Circulation/distribution plan

Production

• Event coverage, conducting interviews (expert and MOS/MIS),

• gathering/taking photographs, & document search

• Article writing

• Editing (substantive & mechanical)

• Fact checking

Post-production

• Organization of files (raw and revised versions, photos)

• Page layout

• Editing, revisions, finalization of publication files (color separation, “final artwork/camera ready copy)

• Proofing, press check, press run

• Copy receipt and inspection

• Distribution & delivery

• Evaluation & processing