May 2021 – Subbing Clinic

#556

It was the duke’s first public appearance since the funeral of his grandfather, Prince Phillip on 17 April. His wife the Duchess of Sussex, who is pregnant, stayed at home.

BBC News Online, May 5, 2021

Can you believe that there is at least one person at the national broadcaster who cannot spell Prince Philip (two if they bother to have someone checking work)? This is how you spell Phillip Schofield, who presumably is better known to the young people at the corporation.

I cannot stress strongly enough that it takes years of experience to make a good sub-editor. When I was a junior sub, almost everyone else in the department was older and wiser, and the benefit of their experience was passed down to me. A chief sub would often point out how things could be improved. These days most older subs have been dispensed with and there is no one to teach or mentor the younger ones. Staffs have been so reduced that no one has time to guide anyone else.

This clinic is an attempt to pass on my experience using real examples. I would love to receive items from others as I do not read every paper every day. I will add new entries as I come across them.