Copy Editor Profile: Randy Jackson

Equipment:

• Power Mac 6100 - 40MB RAM
• One TV tuned to CNN

Five most commonly used applications: CNN network-wide news gathering system Basys, Microsoft Word, Netscape Navigator, Lexis-Nexis

Overall role: "To improve copy, verify accuracy, correct when needed and write good headlines."

Daily duties:

• Reads in to find out what's going on in the world, with the network and on the site.
• Checks and edits stories for spelling and rules of grammar.
• Answers stylistic questions such as, "Did the writer arrange the facts in a coherent manner? Did he or she emphasize the most important information at the top of the story?"
• Stays on top of breaking news.
• Helps the producer locate stories and monitor developments.

Personal stats:

• 35 years old
• Bachelor's degree in Drama from the University of Georgia
• Randy has worked at CNN Interactive for one year as a copy editor.
• Previous to CNN, he was a copy editor for two years at the Marietta Daily Journal in Marietta, Georgia. Randy started his career as a reporter at Atlanta's Neighborhood Newspapers and over eight years, worked his way up to managing editor.

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