The Gatekeeper

Bruce C. Swaffield of Regent University made these points about copy editors as the guards, guardians and gatekeepers of newspapers at the National College Media Convention in St. Louis, Mo. last fall:

Copy editors:

1. Protect the newspaper
2. Should avoid limiting themselves to editing only specific types of stories
3. Should use constructive criticism - pose questions
4. Should edit with an attitude
5. Are the readers' voice in the newsroom
6. Have broad knowledge, are masters of organization and write provocative headlines
7. Sell stories to readers