The editor’s chair is notoriously precarious, with many succumbing to the pressures of the job. The demanding role, which requires a delicate balance of creativity, criticism, and leadership, can take a toll on even the most seasoned professionals. The editorial profession is known for its high turnover rate, with editors often facing intense scrutiny, tight deadlines, and impossible expectations. It is a job that requires a thick skin, a keen eye for details, and a passion for storytelling, but even the best can fall victim to the stresses and strains of the role. In the fast-paced world of publishing, editors are the unsung heroes who shape the narrative and bring stories to life. However, the demands of the job can be overwhelming, leading to burnout, stress, and a high casualty rate among editors.
The life of an editor is a high-wire act, requiring a constant juggling of creative vision, commercial pressures, and deadlines. It is a role that demands precision, patience, and passion, but the rewards can be fleeting, and the costs to one’s mental and physical health can be significant. The editorial profession is a high-risk, high-reward field, where the stakes are high and the margins for error are slim. With the rise of digital media and the 24-hour news cycle, editors are under pressure than ever to deliver, but at what cost to their well-being and career longevity? It is a statement of fact that the editors delegate some of their functions, hence the existence of assistant or line editors. Not minding the fact that the editors focus majorly on the front pages’ news items, they take full responsibility for the entire publication; they have a duty of signing off the paper on a daily basis.
A newspaper editor is a professional responsible for overseeing the content, tone, and direction of a newspaper. He decides which stories to publish, reviews articles for accuracy and quality, and ensures that content meets the newspaper’s standard. He assigns stories to reporters, guides them on research, and monitors progress. He ensures that news reporting aligns with the in-house style. He verifies facts and information in reports to maintain accuracy and credibility. He collaborates with graphic artists to determine the layout and visual presentation of the newspaper. He crafts headlines that capture the essence of news items and grab readers’ attention. He supervises and guides a team of writers, reporters, and other line editors. Above all, he ensures that content is ready for publication within tight deadlines. Newspaper editors play a crucial role in shaping public discourse, informing readers, and holding those in power accountable. Editor requires strong communication, critical thinking, and leadership skills to excel in his position. In Nigeria, editor functions under the direct supervision of either the Director of Publication or Editor-in-chief.
Editors can be removed from their positions due to various reasons, including shifts in media ownership or policy, e.g., acquisition. When Barrister Jimoh Ibrahim, the senator that is presently representing Ondo south senatorial district in the national assembly, acquired Mirror newspaper, most of the editors were relieved of their appointments. The same thing happened when Vintage press limited, publishers of The Nation took over The Comet in a ‘palace coup.’ At the beginning of new millennium, editors that were lacking in IT knowledge and not trainable were replaced. Editors may be removed if they fail to meet expectations or perform poorly in their role. At a point in the history of Independent Newspapers Limited, some editors were dropped based on their unhealthy romance with politicians. Some of the editors were actually involved in blatant fallacies and unhelpful conjectures.
Disagreements with management, owners, or other stakeholders can result in an editor’s removal, e.g., Steve Ayorinde, ex Editor of The Punch exit was alleged to have been orchestrated by Azubuike Iziekwene, the then executive director, publication (Steve’s immediate supervisor) who asked Steve to resign his appointment based on “Lagos story.” Equally, Yakubu Mohammed revealed in his book: Beyond Expectations that “unexplainable friction” with MKO Abiola, publisher of the defunct Concord newspapers led to the founding of Nigeria’s first weekly news magazine, Newswatch by the trio of himself (Editor, National Concord), Dele Giwa (Editor, Sunday Concord), and Ray Ekpu (member, editorial board). Dan Agbese, the then editor of the New Nigeria newspapers, equally joined them to birth Newswatch.
Newspapers may undergo restructuring, leading to changes in editorial positions. Editors’ personal opinions and biases can impact their decision-making, leading to conflicts or removal. Directive of the publisher to some editors to apologize to the power that be based on the published news item led to the exit of some editors such as Bayo Onanuga, Babafemi Ojudu, etc. from the defunct Concord newspapers. They left and established The News magazine. Many Nigerian newspapers face challenges such as financial struggles, staffing issues, and irregular publication schedules, which can impact editorial stability. Newspapers like The Guardian, Daily Trust, Blueprint, The Punch, The Nation, The Nation, The Sun, etc. either collapsed their Saturday and Sunday publications into weekend editions or appointed one editor to edit the two publications. Some editors were relieved of their positions as a result of this.
The high-pressure nature of the job, tight deadlines, and demanding workloads can lead to burnout. Editors may feel that their career growth is limited or stagnant, leading them to seek new opportunities. Disagreements over editorial direction, policies, or finances can create tension and lead to editors leaving their positions. Editors may reassess their priorities or goals, deciding to pursue other opportunities that better align with their aspirations. The rapidly evolving media landscape, including technological advancements and shifting audience preferences, can create uncertainty and prompt editors to explore new opportunities. Editors may choose to leave their positions due to personal reasons, such as health concerns, family obligations, or relocation. These factors can contribute to a relatively short tenure for editors, with some staying in their positions for only a few years before moving on to new challenges.
The ideal tenure for an editor can vary depending on factors like organization’s goals, editor’s performance, and industry dynamics. There is no one-size-fits-all answer, but a minimum of 2-3 years allows editors to implement changes, build relationships, and see projects through to completion. Average of 3-5 years provides a balance between stability and fresh perspectives, enabling editors to make meaningful contributions without becoming too entrenched. Maximum of 5-7 years; beyond this point, editors may become too comfortable or stagnant, potentially leading to complacency or decreased effectiveness. Ultimately, the ideal tenure depends on the specific context, organization, and individual editor. Some editors may thrive in shorter or longer tenures, and replacement decisions should be based on performance, goals, and needs rather than arbitrary timeframes.
In the history of Nigerian media, the Punch has the highest rate of Editors’ turnover in its over five decades of existence. Editors were forced to resign, others promoted to relevance or ‘irrelevance’, others redeployed, and a few left on their own. Martins Ayankola remains the longest serving editor of The Punch, having edited the newspaper for 6 years, 5 months, e.g., from January 2013 to July 2019. There were some editors who spent month(s) in office. Yusuff Alli (October 2006); Vincent Akamode (February–August 2010); and Emeka Madunagu (March – June 3, 2013) edited Saturday Punch for 1 month, 6 months, and 3 months respectively. Sam Amuka Pemu as managing editor edited Sunday Punch for 9 months (March – December 1973). Others who edited Sunday Punch for between 1 month and 11 months were Tunde Obadina (May – September 1982); Nat Balogun (May–June 1984); Najeem Jimoh (October 1985 – November 1985); Tunde Odediran (October-December, 1995); Casmir Igbokwe (December 2007-November 2008); and Toyosi Ogunseye (May – December 2013). Concerning The Punch, it was edited for between 1 year and three months (Innocent Adiukwu, May 7, 1982-August 24, 1983) and 5 years, and 1 month (Gbemiga Ogunleye, November 6, 1996- December 31, 2001). However, the only person who edited The Punch for less than a year was Ade Fagbemi (August 25, 1983 – August 1, 1984). In 2024, Dayo Oketola was replaced as The Punch editor before the expiration of his three-year renewable term tenure. Till date, The Punch, Saturday Punch, and Sunday Punch has been edited by 17, 10, and 27 editors, respectively
However, it is more stable in other media firms. In Nigerian Tribune, the present title editors (Daily, Saturday, and Sunday) have been occupying their positions for about a decade now. That has been the trend for the editors in the company since its inception in 1949. Vanguard has a similar history; editors are hardly removed except they leave on their own. This is basically due to Uncle Sam Amuka’s (publisher/chairman) style of management. The New Telegraph was founded in 2013 but started publishing in 2014; as of today, Daily, Saturday, and Sunday editions of New Telegraph had been edited by 4, 3, and 3 editors, respectively The Sun was set up in 2004. In its over three decades of existence, four, five, and four persons had edited daily, Saturday, and Sunday publications, respectively. In the same vein, editors in The Guardian This Day, Blueprint, Daily Trust, Leadership, Peoples Daily, etc. have stable tenure.
Short tenure for editors can have several implications, including frequent changes in editorial leadership, which can disrupt the publication’s tone, style, and direction. Editors who leave after a short tenure may take valuable knowledge and experience with them, potentially impacting the publication’s quality and effectiveness. Constantly onboarding new editors can be time-consuming and costly, diverting resources away from other important tasks. Frequent changes in editorial leadership can create uncertainty and affect staff morale, thereby leading to decreased productivity and motivation. Short tenure can make it challenging for editors to build strong relationships with writers, contributors, and other stakeholders, thereby impacting the publication’s quality and reputation, negatively. Editors with short tenure may struggle to implement long-term plans or initiatives, as they may not have sufficient time to see projects through to completion. These implications can affect the publication’s overall quality, reputation, and effectiveness. The importance of finding ways to retain talented editors and promote continuity and stability becomes doubtful.
As the publishing industry continues to evolve, it is clear that the role of the editor will remain crucial. However, to mitigate the high casualty rate, it is essential for media firms to prioritize editors’ well-being, provide adequate support, and recognize the value of these skilled professionals. The editor’s role may be demanding, but it is also incredibly rewarding. By acknowledging the challenges and taking steps to address them, a media firm can work towards creating a more sustainable and supportive environment for editors to thrive.
Ultimately, the high casualty rate among editors serves as a wake-up call for the industry. By reevaluating the expectations, providing better resources, and fostering a culture of collaboration and support, the industry can help ensure that editors can continue to do what they do best, i.e., shaping stories and bringing ideas to life. The editorial profession may be tough, but it is also filled with passionate individuals who are driven by a love of storytelling and a desire to share ideas with the world. Despite these challenges, many editors find the role rewarding and enjoy the creative and intellectual aspects of their work.
Ayankunbi, a media consultant, writes from Lagos
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