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BOOK REVIEW: The POWER of an EDITOR, Written by Charles Kalu
A new book by Charles Kalu, a brilliant broadcast journalist, reinforces the larger-than-life figure of an editor in a newsroom
Before the internet age, an editor in the traditional media had the power of “life and death” over a copy and even the writer in a newsroom. Editors of those years exercised enormous powers, as a matter of fact. They also wielded great influence; a fact that still remains indisputable. The reality today may have placed a limitation on the powers of an editor but the fact remains that an editor still wields a significant amount of power anywhere and everywhere. This is exactly what The POWER of an EDITOR, an instructional and educational hand book for media practitioners and students by Charles Kalu, establishes.
Kalu is a fieldman and one of the liveliest journalists I know. He is perceptive, warm, up-to-date, adventurous, vivacious, eloquent, unafraid but also ready to learn.
In The POWER of an EDITOR, Kalu, a dutiful journalist with investigative skills, shares his experiences, both inside and outside of the newsroom with his readers. He opens every chapter with a powerful and fitting quote that enlivens and sets the stage for an interesting reading engagement. He also sheds light in a creative way, on the important roles of an editor, the responsibilities of other newsroom staff, a typical newsroom with its busy ambiance, time management especially in critical moments and synergy in news production and presentation. But the icing on the cake for a perceptive reader is Insights From The Masters, one of the concluding chapters in the book. Here, Kalu shares his encounters with top broadcasters, men well-known for their distinguished careers like Ben Egbuna, Femi Sowoolu, Citizen Jones Usen, Phil Ushie, Tokunbo Ojekunle, Patrick Oke and Dele Adetiba. However, there are also other riveting stories and accounts of broadcasting, its practice and the challenges editors and behind-the-scenes players in the newsroom, face. They include: What Is The Role of The Editor Or News Manager? The News Manager As A Leader, The News Manager As The Eye Of The Newsroom, The News Manager As Coach, The News Manager As Supervisor, Broadcast News Production Made Easy, Making Broadcast News Easy For The ‘Now Age’ and Giving The Newsroom Relevance Every Day”. There are also other lively chapters like Dealing With Selection Of Stories In The Newsroom, Making A Case For ‘Breaking News’, Vox Pop (Voice Of The People), The String Holding: The Newsroom And The Presenter, Understanding The News Reader’s Flow and Quick Nuggets About Dos and Don’ts In Broadcasting.
It is important to note that the author believes that his book is relevant and timely, regardless of the changing media landscape; and he says that much. “My book is an instructional manual that is meant to help editors, news producers and reporters to deliver the best bulletins each day. The POWER of an EDITOR also serves as continuous learning manual that reminds us of the little mistakes we make in the newsroom. As a product of different traditions, both new and old, I think I have a duty to share my experiences as a newsman at a public radio where it all began, and in my later years at private radio stations.”
Kalu’s final verdict, which is also in consonance with the views of some journalism trainers and journalists, (both in the electronic and print media), is that an editor is a strong man or woman known for remarkable feats in the newsroom. The editor, as a media man or woman spots where thinking is defective or flawed. He or she also discovers where an important detail has been left out. The editor is called the newsroom boss and the last man standing because he or she knows when an inappropriate material is in a script or copy. And this influential person in the newsroom supervises news copies, allocates space or time slot for interviews and decides stories for every day. In this book, Kalu reinforces these onerous duties of an editor and points the way forward for professionalism.
But this remarkable work on an editor’s power is not without failings. One of the visible flaws in The POWER of an EDITOR is the absence of any form of active illustration, organizational chat or pictures. The presence of any of these, would have made reading clearer and more attractive. And the book does not also have the best layout. But since the drawbacks are all matters of aesthetics, they do not in any way, affect the book’s power and purpose. So, this is a perfect book for practitioners, teachers, students and anyone interested in mass communication.
Kalu who trained as an actor and became a broadcaster by providence, has done remarkably well in the field of broadcasting. His journey as a radio ‘boy’ started at Federal Radion Corporation of Nigeria, FRCN, Lagos during his undergraduate days. He later joined Silverbird Communications, owners of Rhythm 93.7FM as Deputy Head of News. He eventually became the first Head of Bureau of Silverbird group in the entire Niger Delta and River’s State where he was appointed the organization’s first Station Manager and Head of News. Kalu also held different positions at Silverbird Communications, both in Lagos and Abuja.
He is an alumnus of University of Jos, University of Lagos, the US State Department of the International Leadership Exchange Programme and School of Media and Communications, Pan Atlantic University, Lagos. This broadcast journalist who is the Social and Publicity Secretary of the Nigerian Guild of Editors is currently the Director of News, Access 24 News Network (Radio and Television).
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu will depart for Paris, France, today on a short working visit.
This information was stated in a press release today, April 2, 2025 by Bayo Onanuga, the Special Adviser to the President on Information & Strategy.
Onanuga said during the President’s visit, he will appraise his administration’s mid-term performance and assess key milestones.
“He will also use the retreat to review the progress of ongoing reforms and engage in strategic planning ahead of his administration’s second anniversary”.
“This period of reflection will inform plans to deepen ongoing reforms and accelerate national development priorities in the coming year”.
“Recent economic strides reinforce the President’s commitment to these efforts, as evidenced by the Central Bank of Nigeria reporting a significant increase in net foreign exchange reserves to $23.11 billion—a testament to the administration’s fiscal reforms since 2023 when net reserves were $3.99 billion”.
“While away, President Tinubu will remain fully engaged with his team and continue to oversee governance activities. He will return to Nigeria in about a fortnight, the statement reads.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Wednesday, announced the launch of Air Algérie’s inaugural direct flight service from Algiers to Abuja, set to begin on April 6, 2025.
This is said to strengthen the diplomatic and economic ties between Nigeria and Algeria.
According to a statement signed by the Acting Spokesperson for the Ministry, Kimiebi Ebienfa, the new route, which is the result of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between the two countries, will be operated by the national carrier, Air Algérie, using a Boeing 737 aircraft.
This new service is expected to boost connectivity, encourage tourism, and facilitate trade and investment between Nigeria and Algeria.
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is pleased to announce the commencement of Air Algerie’s inaugural direct flight service from Algiers to Abuja, scheduled for 6th April 2025.
“This historic development marks a significant milestone in the growing diplomatic and economic relations between Nigeria and Algeria.
“It is pertinent to state that it is the implementation of the Bilateral Air Services Agreement between both countries, which culminated in this successful venture,” the statement read in part.
The inaugural flight is expected to carry the Charge d’Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Algiers, Nigerian community leaders, and representatives from the Algerian government.
The Federal Government has extended congratulations to Air Algérie and offered its full support to ensure the success of the new service.
With affordable fares and Algeria’s proximity to Europe, the flight also offers Nigerians a convenient gateway to Europe, enhancing Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for business, tourism, and transit.
The statement added, “The Federal Government of Nigeria, through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and relevant aviation authorities, extends its warm congratulations to Air Algerie and assures all necessary support to ensure the success and sustainability of this new service.
“We believe this initiative will further strengthen the longstanding friendship between Nigeria and Algeria, while opening new opportunities for mutual growth.
“The affordable fare structure and the proximity of Algeria to Europe would also provide Nigerians with a convenient gateway to Europe, thereby enhancing Nigeria’s position as a regional hub for business, tourism, and transit.”
The ministry encouraged citizens and businesses to take advantage of this new connectivity to explore opportunities for trade, tourism and cultural exchanges between the two nations.
Operatives of the Department of State Security have arrested two principal suspects involved in the killing of 16 Nigerians of northern extraction in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government last week.
According to a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Monday Okpehbolo, Fred Itua, the suspects were arrested by operatives of the DSS in Uromi, following credible intelligence.
He noted that operatives of various security agencies were hunting for other key suspects involved in the unfortunate incidents.
He said, “Operatives of the Department of State Security have arrested two principal suspects involved in the killing of 16 Nigerians of northern extraction in Uromi, Esan North East Local Government last week.
“The suspects were arrested by operatives of the DSS in Uromi, following credible intelligence. Operatives of various security agencies are hunting for other key suspects involved in the unfortunate incidents.
”In the latest development, the two principal suspects arrested by officials of the DSS have been transferred to Abuja, the nation’s capital, for further interrogation and prosecution by the relevant authorities.
According to reports, the 14 suspects arrested in connection with the killings have been transferred to Force headquarters while investigation continues on the matter.
The transfer of the suspects to Abuja was in compliance with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.
“I can confirm to you that the suspects have been taken to Abuja as directed by the IGP and investigation into the matter is still ongoing.
”Itua also said he could not confirm if the compensation promised the family of the victim would be financial.
He, however, said the Edo and Kano governments were working together to fashion out a suitable compensation for the family of the victims.
“As you are aware, Governor Okpehbolo met with the Kano State Government and visited the families of the I6 people that were killed, where he promised compensation.
“I cannot say what form the compensation will take but both state governments are talking to ensure that the victims’ families are compensated.
”A resident of Uromi, who gave his name simply as Michael, said residents of the area, where the killings took place, were deserting their villages over fear of being arrested.
He stated that women thronged the Ojuromi of Uromi palace to protest the indiscriminate arrest of people in Uromi following the killings of the 16 travellers.
He said, “What is happening now is that people are leaving their houses where the killing took place for fear of being arrested by the police, who have been mandated to fish out all the culprits.
“I believe the protest by the women on Monday is in connection with the indiscriminate arrest of residents by security agencies.”
Meanwhile, the Edo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress has claimed that some major opposition political parties were planning to instigate a crisis in the state and make it ungovernable.
The state APC chairman, Jarret Tenebe, stated this during a news conference on Tuesday in Abuja.
“It has come to our attention that the leadership of some major opposition parties in our state, along with two others, has devised a reckless and dangerous plot to instigate crisis and make Edo ungovernable,” he said.
Tenebe alleged that the aim of those behind the plot was to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in the state.
“Their sinister objective is clear: they want to force President Bola Tinubu to declare a state of emergency in Edo, because they have no confidence in securing victory at the Edo Election Petition Tribunal.
The News Agency of Nigeria reports that the tribunal will, on Wednesday, deliver judgment in the petition filed by the PDP candidate, Asue Ighodalo, against the outcome of the Sept. 21, 2024 governorship election in the state.
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