In addition to a news staff, the bigger papers also have sizable staffs in their advertising, circulation, and production departments. The publisher oversees all the operations, usually with the aid of an executive editor in charge of the news department, an editorial-page editor, and a business manager. Major newspapers also have bureaus covering the federal government, reporters stationed in large cities around the country, and foreign correspondents in important world capitals. Newspapers also subscribe to domestic and foreign news services. Each day a newspaper's editors decide what news and features to use.
Reporters write their stories, which are then edited by copy editors.
Placement of articles and illustrations is determined by layout editors. Newspaper editorial and comment pages generally have their own editor who is not part of the news department. A large paper will have several editorial writers, some of whom reflect the views of the publisher and others who provide a balance of political and social views. Most newspaper editors try to provide an account of the news which gives a reasoned explanation for events. Although total newspaper circulation has not increased since the early 1970s, newspapers are still a powerful force in American society.