First, just about all of the strengths of a newspaper editor are still important in the online realm. Knows how to use photos and graphics, and how to process them. Is an expert on the local community, with all its history, its needs, its quirks and its resources. Has plenty of research skills, and knows where to find the appropriate information resources that can enhance the online edition. Anything enclosed in an is an HTML tag.
Computer programming is one skill in great demand for online newspapers.
Even if your college degree was in liberal arts, you can take a course or two. Finally, as you learn HTML and Photoshop and Java, don't wait for someone to hire you in order to put these skills to work. You've heard it said that anyone can become a publisher on the World Wide Web, and that includes you. The best way to develop and showcase your new talents is to build your own home page, or home pages for your friends. In fact, your home page can even include your own online newspaper.