“Never overestimate the public’s knowledge and never underestimate the public’s intelligence” is the ideal editing guiding guideline. In a news organization, editing is an essential function. A news story is ragged around the edges and written by reporters quickly.

similar to an uncut diamond. As such, the copy is refined and polished by an editorial team.

Editing is therefore done to ensure that the news that comes in from outside the organization and that comes from within is balanced. Additionally, screening and sorting promote balance between the articles authored by seasoned and less experienced reporters.

The undesirable material is weeded out throughout the process. In the end, only the most noteworthy stories are chosen. These are reviewed and revised for clarity, language, syntax, facts, figures, and sense.