FEATURES AND EDITORIAL POLICY:Slanting or angling feature

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Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

LESSON 10

FEATURES AND EDITORIAL POLICY

In Pakistan, every year if not thousands, then hundred of newspapers and magazines are published. In

1988, when the new ordinance for the procurement of the declaration was made easy, it also increased the

number of venturists many fold. However, there few which were published for a year or so or they got

popularity among the readers.

In the same manner, many youngsters came to journalism but quit after some time, while only few

remained in the field and were successful too. This is primarily due to the reason that those writers or

journalists did not abide by the editorial policies of the newspapers; hence they are never needed by the

newspapers. They deemed that they are not involved in `self-expression' and the policy of the newspaper

nor anything else must hinder their way. They forgot that the writings of the newspaper are not literary

(that is, to act as `literature' or as a `book') rather these are journalistic, and are written for the readers.

The editors believe that quite a large number of writings are printed as those are not in accordance with

the character and policy of the newspaper, and they think that the writers should be trained into clarity

and maturity of mind. Most of the articles and features are not published just for the mere consideration

that the writers want them to be printed.

Slanting or angling feature

Giving turn or twist to the subject as per the editorial policy anti-government or social is an almost

certainty that the feature could get published. In journalistic terms, it is called as `slanting' a feature.

One can learning it from newspaper reading, that is, the subjects what kind of subjects are being picked

up by the writers and their treatment how the writers are treating them, that is, from what perspective

they write about the subject.

Many a time, it also happens that one newspaper has rejected a particular feature, while the other has

published it. It is primarily because of the difference of the editorial policy of various newspapers.

However, every feature can be printed in every newspaper, except a few exceptions, and which is possible

either by deleting or adding some material, which is either required or not needed.

Secondly, length or subject of the feature can be a problem. Different newspapers need different lengths

of features besides being comfortable about a particular subject.

Look at one of the ordinary levels, that is, selection of pictures and vocabulary, and writing captions,

fresh writers do not consider all these as important as these are. Resultantly, their features are rejected.

When a writer selects a suitable subject, then he must write according to the editorial policy of the

newspaper, he is targeting. He must consider the making of the feature, general impression, details to be

included or excluded, length, crux, pictures, language, and facts, which must be all there according to the

editorial policy.

New writers keep on writing in their own flows, and then the put the onus of their failures on novelty and

modernism. They never realize that creation the last two, take a lot of effort. They must realise that what

is being published, from what angle and what the editor demands.

However, the question arises: Why writers fail in slanting the features according to the editorial policy of

the target newspaper? Firstly, it is primarily because of the `Ignorance about editorial policy'. If one

editor has rejected his feature, it could be published by another. It does not mean problem with the

subject, rather it is the editorial policy.

The writer must know about the target newspaper. To know this, one must be involving himself in the

Constant reading of the paper, and see the treatment of various themes, and the kind of subjects being

picked up.

Secondly, he must be which ideologies are being favoured or rejected or whether it is being done though

the direct approach or in an indirect manner.

On the other hand, a few of the feature writers want that the editorial policy must be according to the

wishes without realizing that it is never changed for one writer.

Good writers are always required by a newspaper, but most of the write-ups are of ordinary nature. On the

other hand, some newspapers develop writers, but not all of them.

Feature and Column Writing MCM 514

On the other hand, quite a few features are rejected owing to the reason that they are trite, and nothing

new is discussed.

Knowing what the editor wants!

It is a must to know what the editor intends to print, and if the feature is according to the editor's

requirements, then it is printed for sure whereas the editor outlines its requirements according to the

wishes of his readers. For instance, if the editor wants that a certain feature must be written at a particular

time, and his readers will take interest in that, the editor will get it written.

In order to do this, the writer must listen to what the editor wants him to write and in turn, act on the

directions in true spirit. Good editor makes writer understand what his readers wants to read, and meeting

the editor is a must as he tells the writer what he cannot understand from mere newspaper reading.

However, the editor can bring changes in the editorial policy, when he sees change in the demands of the

readers, but it is never an easy thing to do, and never done impulsively. Secondly, the editor gives the

writer latest update about the change in the editorial policy of the newspapers.

Know what you can do best!

It is a must for the writer to know on what he can write best. If he can write on social issues better, he

must not attempt at political subjects, as it can be against his nature. It does nothing, but helps in the

writer's failure.

On the other, a few of the writers, when they have not developed their own style, try to copy masters of

that particular area. `Never try to copy the style of others', as you are born with your own and you can use

it to the best possible extent and become a success story. Remember! It is a small world, and rarely

copying goes amiss. Hence, it is better to follow your instincts.

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