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The Toronto Star announced earlier this month that it would probably be laying off some in-house staff and outsourcing their jobs. At least one copy-editor has taken the official publisher’s announcement and decided to make a case for his or her skills.

As a journalist who works as a copy-editor one day a week, I am in awe of the the anonymous editor’s chops. If I laid down that level of editing on any story, well, first I’d never have time to get through a single page of layout, but second, I’d probably make some enemies in the reportorial staff.

As an intro-to-journalism professor, I know that copy editors perform an essential function at any newspaper. I teach my students that accuracy is critical to good journalism. But accuracy doesn’t just mean getting your facts straight — it also means telling the story correctly, in a clear, concise fashion. If you mess up basic grammar, or use lousy language, you lose credibility with readers.

In a world where old-media newspapers are searching for their place, beset on all sides by blogs and the like, I suggest that they should hold themselves to a higher level. Newspapers have a trusted reputation that even the best blogs can’t touch. But part of that comes from their commitment to standards — to Getting it Right. Copyeditors are a required link in that chain.

(From the Torontoist, via BoingBoing)