Universal vs. Specialized Copy Desks:Unmasked

Hello readers,

I am back to discuss yet another important subject regarding the plight of copy editors and reporters alike, and how their work is valued and distributed in the current state of publication. Universal vs. Specialized copy desks have been a topic of hot debate, especially in the last few years with all of the downsizing that has been done in the world of print news because of the economy.  Is it better to combine copy desks and make more publications cost-effective, while maybe losing some continuity and quality in the work? Or…would it be better to have specialized desks, where editors and reporters would focus on their specific subject and present it well?

Corrections Policy for a Major Media Organization

Hello readers,

I realize that I haven’t been back in a while, and while I apologize, there is a new and thought provocative subject to discuss. I was asked in our recent Copy Editing class what should be done about corrections if one is in charge of a major media operation/organization. So here are some of my candid thoughts on the subject, along with links to some of the information that is out there:

Traditional Skills

Hello again,

To continue on the point from my last entry, I now want to talk about skills that copy editors traditionally possess that can be taken into the digital age.

Digital Skills

Hello again everyone,

In this day and age, there are many skills that a copy editor needs to do their job properly. One of those skills would be to have a good background in all of the ways that have worked before in order to move forward in the future of a news publication. It is very easy to become digital as a reporter, even if you do not have a strong computer background.

Biosketch

Hello everyone in cyberspace!

My name is Kaitlin Zeilman, and I am a senior journalism major at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey. This blog will be part of my classwork for this semester in Copy Editing, so please read and enjoy.

My first experience writing for college publications was at Rosemont College from 2006-2008, where I was a staff writer and movie reviewer for the Rambler. When I transferred to Rowan, I became a contributor to both the Whit and Rowan on the Record.