Politics and Business Editor

Job description

The Politics and Business Editor is responsible for setting the editorial direction and delivering authoritative, accurate, and compelling political and business coverage across radio and digital platforms. The role requires strong editorial judgment and deep subject-matter expertise to interpret, contextualise, and translate complex political and economic developments into clear, accessible, and impactful journalism that informs and engages diverse audiences

Editorial Direction and Leadership:

• Set and drive the editorial agenda for business and political coverage in line with newsroom news values, audience needs, and strategic priorities
• Identify, commission and develop original stories, investigations and explanatory content.
• Provide clear editorial direction to reporters, producers and contributors.
• Edit scripts, articles and audio packages for accuracy, balance, clarity and legal compliance.

People and Newsroom Management:

• Manage and mentor business and political reporters across radio and online platforms.
• Coordinate daily and long-term coverage plans, including breaking news, live broadcasts, elections, budgets and major economic events.
• Ensure effective collaboration between radio producers and digital teams to maximise reach and impact.
• Support performance, development, and editorial standards within the reporting team.

Radio Editorial Output:

• Oversee business and political news bulletins, interviews, debates and talk segments.
• Prepare presenters and reporters for live interviews and on-air analysis.
• Ensure fast, accurate, and responsible editorial decision-making during breaking news and developing stories.

Digital Output and Audience Growth:

• Drive strong digital storytelling through articles, explainers, podcasts, newsletters and social media content.
• Use audience data and insights to inform editorial decisions and increase engagement.
• Ensure SEO, headline writing and platform-specific formats meet editorial standards.

Editorial Analysis and Subject-Matter Authority:

• Provide authoritative editorial analysis and context on political and economic developments.
• Build and maintain a strong network of sources, analysts and commentators.
• Represent the newsroom on-air or at public forums when required.

Editorial Standards, Ethics and Risk Management:

• Uphold the highest standards of journalistic ethics, fairness and independence.
• Ensure compliance with broadcasting regulations, defamation law and editorial policies.
• Oversee factchecking, legal review, and editorial risk assessment for sensitive or high-impact stories.

Minimum required qualification:

Relevant tertiary qualification in Journalism or a related field.

Qualifications considered advantageous:

Formal training in the Press Code and applicable media legislation.

Minimum years of experience:

• 8–10 years’ experience in a newsroom environment, with substantial exposure to political and/or business reporting.
• Proven editorial leadership experience, preferably within a radio, digital, or multimedia newsroom.
• Strong on-air, writing, and editing capabilities.

Additional role requirements:

Skills and Competencies
• Excellent news judgment and sound editorial decision-making
• In-depth understanding of political systems, public policy, economics, and financial markets.
• Ability to distil complex information into clear, accurate, and accessible content.
• Strong leadership, communication, and mentoring capability.
• Ability to perform effectively under pressure and manage multiple deadlines in a fast-paced newsroom.
• Digital-first mindset with a strong understanding of multimedia and cross-platform storytelling.

Desirable Attributes
• Experience covering elections, national budgets, policy reform, or major economic events.
• Audio production, podcasting, or long-form audio storytelling experience.

• Familiarity with data journalism, investigative reporting, or analytical storytelling techniques.

Working Conditions
• Shift work may be required, including early mornings, evenings, and weekends.
• Availability during major news events, breaking stories, and periods of heightened political or economic activity is essential.

Suitable candidates will be selected in accordance with Primedia Broadcasting’s Employment Equity Policy. Correspondence will only be conducted with shortlisted candidates. Should you not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please consider your application unsuccessful.
Send your detailed CV to broadcastingcareers@primedia.co.za with the Subject Line “EWN Politics & Business Editor”. The closing date for applications is 13 February 2026.


Posted on 06 Feb 16:04, Closing date 13 Feb