Lillian's New Media

Ali Balunywa, in Kampala, Uganda

Lillian Namusoke is a sub editor at the New Vision. She joined the establishment in 2004 after completing her university education. She is in possession of a Bachelor’s degree in languages and a diploma in reporting and creative writing. The interview;

Ali: When and how were you recruited to work for the New Vision?

Lillian: I was recruited in 2004 and reported for the New Vision for 4 months before being made a sub editor after an in house training session. Mr. David Billington, a British training consultant, carries out the training sessions. 

Tell me about the sub editors’ office 

I am one of the 6 news subeditors at the New Vision. We sit in the editorial office just next to the newsroom. There are many other subeditors for the Sunday and Saturday Vision and for the other regional newspapers under the New Vision Group.

Tell me about your job 

The New Vision has its own house style, which subeditors have to follow. The fonts (Nimrod MT) and body are consistent all the time.  The layout follows the modular form, which makes comprehension for the reader easy. When we use photos to illustrate stories, they must all be the same shape on the same page.

How do computers assist you to do your job?

New Vision has its own computer system that is shared by the editorial. Writers write their stories using the Microsoft office word programme, send them to the editor for editing, they are grouped and sent to the relevant subeditor. Subeditors check for the grammar and later use the QuarkXPress programme for designing the layout.

How much work does the subeditor do?

On average a subeditor lays out 2 pages per day. After laying out the pages we exchange them amongst ourselves for further proofreading and later send them to the deputy chief subeditor. When ready, the pages are printed out, as they appear and handed over to the chief subeditor for final approval before printing 

How does the new media contribute to the effectiveness of your work?

Subeditors use the mobile phone frequently to consult with the writers over stories we sub and also for clarification with editors. Most times, stories need beefing up with background information, so we frequently use the Internet for information. Personally I use social networking sites like face book for reducing stress. We also often use the fm radios to update stories especially court cases or accidents.