redactieleiders

Redactieleiders are editorial leaders in a newsroom responsible for guiding the editorial operation of a publication or broadcast. They oversee editors and reporters within a section or the entire newsroom, depending on the organization. They translate strategic editorial goals into day-to-day priorities, plan coverage, assign stories, approve articles, and ensure adherence to style guides and ethical standards.

They supervise quality control: accuracy, verification, corrections, disclosure of conflicts of interest, and compliance with legal and ethical norms. They manage workflow, deadlines, and resource allocation, and coordinate with production, digital teams, and management. They may represent the newsroom in internal governance meetings and external relations. In larger outlets, redactieleiders may be responsible for specific domains (for example politics or culture) and report to the hoofdredacteur or managing editor; in smaller outlets, a redactieleider can function as the overall editor-in-chief.

They participate in policy development: editorial policy, code of ethics, audience strategy, and safety policies, particularly for investigative or sensitive reporting. They evaluate performance, provide feedback, hire or discipline staff, and promote professional development.

Qualifications typically include substantial journalistic experience, demonstrable editorial leadership, knowledge of journalistic standards, and ability to make quick, principled decisions under pressure. The exact title and role vary by country and organization, but redactieleiders generally function as the senior editorial leaders responsible for the integrity and direction of the newsroom’s content.