Job Description

The Language Monitor is responsible for ensuring the linguistic quality of Sky News Arabia's output on TV and online. The LM reviews and, where necessary, edits scripts, packages, and reports to ensure that Sky News Arabia's linguistic and journalistic standards are consistently met. Reports are reviewed by the LM for: accuracy and newsworthiness of material, balance consistent with the mission and editorial policy of the channel, and use of appropriate language, syntax, and grammar. The LM works closely with producers, reporters and correspondents and provides feedback to enhance the overall quality of news programs, while ensuring that those journalists' "original voices" are still heard. S/he provides linguistic guidance to newsroom personnel so as to improve program quality and maximize productivity.

Key Responsibilities

• Review, modify and approve scripts and introductions before air, working closely with reporters, correspondents, producers,  Executive Producers and the online team
• Oversee linguistic and grammar editing of news stories for television and digital services
• Provide linguistic and grammar help and guidance to correspondents and anchors on their delivery.
• Provide regular reports to Sky News Arabia management on the quality of news broadcasts and editorial processes, and alert the Head of Output and EPs to any issues for resolution.
• Help in assessing staff linguistic skills and work with individual staff members as necessary to develop their grammar and Arabic language skills. Follow-up as necessary with individuals to track progress.
• Monitor the quality of Sky News Arabia's news writing; provide regular reports to the management of the channel.
• Watch and analyse news bulletins; check for language errors or sensitivities, contextual, grammatical and typographical errors, and other mistakes of substance or form.
• Required to work within a shift pattern across the whole week and including nights to service the needs of a 24 hour news channel.

Key Skills, Experience and Education

• Experience in television news, including television news production.
• An excellent journalist with strong editorial judgment.
• Fluency in Classical Arabic essential
• Excellent writing skills and solid news judgment.
• Previous experience in a national or international broadcast news channel desirable
• Experience of newsroom production systems and desktop editing.
• Extensive knowledge of the geo-political, socio-economical and cultural issues of the Middle East; extensive knowledge of the relationship of the Middle East with the international community.
• Ability to work under intense deadline pressure.
• Self-disciplined; skilled at time-management.
• Sound editorial and creative judgment.
• 10+ years experience required.
• BA in Arabic language, journalism or other related social science major.