Naczelna

Naczelna is the feminine form of the Polish adjective and noun naczelny, meaning chief or head. It is used as a title to designate the female editor-in-chief or the female head of a publication or organization. The masculine counterpart is naczelny. In journalism, the role most commonly associated with the title is redaktor naczelny (male) or redaktorka naczelna (female); the noun naczelna can appear on its own in some contexts or as part of the phrase naczelna redakcja, meaning the editorial leadership or the editorial office.

The responsibilities typically linked to the position include setting editorial policy, overseeing content, supervising editors and reporters, ensuring quality and compliance, and representing the publication publicly. The term is also used outside journalism to indicate the head of a department or organization.

Etymology: the word derives from naczelny, itself from naczelnik meaning leader or chief. The form naczelna reflects gender agreement with a feminine noun or person.

Related terms include naczelny (masculine form), redaktor naczelny (editor-in-chief), redaktorka naczelna (female editor-in-chief), and naczelna redakcja (the editorial leadership).