News Editor’s New Media

Ali Balunywa in Kampala

John Kakande is the New Vision’s news editor. He joined the New Vision in 1994 as a freelance reporter. He was later recruited as a parliamentary reporter. He also used to run a political column before being promoted through the ranks to the post of news editor. John holds a Bachelor of Arts degree and a postgraduate diploma in journalism. The interview;

 Ali: What precisely do you do as a news editor?

John: I assign reporters their day-to-day work. I also commission writers to write articles. I brief reporters before going to the field and debrief them when they return. Reporters work on the stories and after file them with my deputy or myself. If the stories are okay, we line them up for publication. If something is missing, we advise the journalists accordingly. So basically, I manage the newsgathering and processing process.

How do the new media tools assist you in fulfilling your duties?

The new media has eased our workload tremendously. Right from typing in the stories by journalists, mailing, editing, subbing and printing, new media is applied. We always research online to get some background information for some stories. The fax machine has been phased out, so all correspondents and upcountry reporters use email to send their stories. The mobile phone is also used all the time for briefing and debriefing and sometimes for sending photos and MS to alert editors of stories. The digital camera revolution has made photojournalism much easier. The New Vision pays the cost of mailing.

How has the computer revolutionized the newsroom?

By enabling reporters to type in (typewriters were discontinued in 1997), correct and through the intranet share the story. Reporters and editors also meet online through the intranet and exchange ideas, edit stories and send emails.

The Internet has also facilitated newsgathering. For example yahoo news and Google alerts keep me abreast on any news about Uganda, Kony, Museveni and Africa. It is one of the cheapest ways of getting news. 

The New Vision is in the process of developing an efficient content management system ultimately reducing the need for reporters to print out stories.