Though differences in opinion often emerge, the end result should be a better piece of journalism. An assignment editor and editor are often the same person, but an assignment editor usually keeps track of several beats and directs reporters on the coverage of those beats. It's also important for the assignment editor to keep updated on the news wires and beats under his or her jurisdiction. It's the job of the copy editor to make sure the reader gets a clean version of the story. Though everyone in the chain is responsible for making stories error-free, copy editors, in particular, are responsible for ensuring that the writing is grammatically correct and without spelling errors.
Copy editors are the last line of defense in making sure that a story's writing makes sense.
Researchers assist reporters and editors in collecting information for a story. A reporter may be busy interviewing sources and running around the country tracking a story. Get the latest news and information about the News of the Century project here. Inc. All rights reserved.