We asked young journalists from Canada, Chile, India and the U.S. about what it is like to lead a newsroom.

As editor-in-chief of the University of Delhi’s DU Beat, Anoushka Sharma works to ensure the paper represents the voices of her peers. Rebecca Gao of Victoria University's The Strand aims to produce equitable and accessible reporting. Jaylin Paschal, editor of Howard University's The Hilltop, plans to leave her newspaper better than she found it. And Paula Rivera from the University of Chile’s Revista Bello Publico hopes to help the citizens of her country fight for truth and justice.

Anoushka, Rebecca, Jaylin and Paula represent the next generation of journalists. Being editors-in-chief means they manage staff, review budgets, issue deadlines and punch up paragraphs. But their greatest responsibility: deciding what stories get reported on and how.

Read more about their experiences leading a newsroom, the issues their readers care about and what advice they have for aspiring writers below.

Anoushka Sharma, age 20, India

Editor of the University of Delhi’s DU Beat

Area of study: Journalism

Follow: @anoushkasharma3

Tell us about your role as editor.

DU Beat is India's largest student-run independent newspaper. I joined in my second year as a correspondent. With time and hard work, I got interviewed for this position and was selected as the editor-in-chief of DU Beat in April 2019. My responsibilities include planning and managing the organisation and the team members. Training the team to write and produce better each day so that they become the leaders of tomorrow is one of my objectives. DU Beat currently has 60 members spread over five departments: editorial, human resources, marketing, design and photography.

What is the best part of working as an editor? What is most challenging?

The best part about this job is that you get to lead and work with a team of talented individuals. Brainstorming, discussing ideas and issues, and how the youth can contribute to bring a change in society by reporting and writing objectively is something which motivates me. It is said that your team makes you a better leader and DU Beat has made me a better person and leader, and has taught me so much about management and people. Time management does become difficult at times. I am in my final year of college, alongside I have work, a number of assignments and tests due every week. It becomes a little hectic, but it is manageable.

What do you hope to achieve as editor this year?

I hope that the team works at its maximum potential and produces extraordinary results. This year, so far, has been good. We completed 13 print issues. Along with that we have a steady growth on our social media handles. I hope we continue to do better and write what is true, do groundbreaking stories and be the voice of the students.

What do you love most about journalism?

I love digging deep and finding the root cause, simply meaning I like to research and ask questions. Not only this, you can learn a lot by talking to people. It is said that everyone has a story to tell and it is my privilege to help tell the audience their story.

What topics do you wish were given more news coverage?

Climate change, student rights, women’s safety and poverty are some core issues which should be given better coverage.

What is your top writing tip for Assembly's young female readers?

Read as much as you can, even if it is boring. Be honest with your writing, be objective, set deadlines and acknowledge feedback.

Rebecca Gao, age 21, Canada

Editor of Victoria University's The Strand

Area of study: Literature, critical theory and history

Follow: @rebeccaga0

Tell us about your role as editor.

I've been the editor-in-chief (EIC) of The Strand since my election in March 2019. As the EIC of The Strand, I handle the overall editorial direction and aesthetic direction of the paper and our magazine. I produce mandates about the editorial vision, like our no-hate speech policy, which is integral to The Strand, and ensure they're being fulfilled. I manage a budget. I oversee a staff of about 20 staff editors, writers, illustrators and photographers. I help younger writers learn about the ins and outs of writing for a school paper. Those are my main responsibilities, but with all jobs, little things spring up all the time!

What is the best part of working as an editor? What is most challenging?

Best: the feeling of seeing my name in print, holding the finished physical copy in my hands, someone looking up to me and trusting me with a project as immense as a newspaper, hearing people say that my paper and my writers are doing good work that they enjoy, reading a story by a junior writer — or a first-time writer — that is just really, really good and knowing that things are in good hands in the future. Challenging: a lot of work for a relatively small product, making a budget and seeing how small it is, having to cut things (like print) for the overall health of the paper.

What do you hope to achieve as editor this year?

Overall, I just want to produce a paper that features a diverse range of voices, provides equitable and accessible reporting, and that holds our institutions accountable.

What do you love most about journalism?

I've always loved getting the scoop — chasing down a lead, hearing back from sources and publishing something that not many people had heard about previously and that (hopefully) changes the attitudes of the world for the better.

What issues do you think young people in your country care about most?

Climate change is a big one. I went to my city's climate strike back in September, and the sheer amount of people — young people — there was astonishing. I also think the cost of living is a huge one. We're inheriting a really stunted job market, and things like rent just keep getting more expensive.

What article(s) are you most proud of and why?

I'm super proud of this editorial that our staff put together for our last issue that highlighted the mental health crisis on our campus and collected stories from our masthead about their experiences with mental health. It was a tough one to get right, but the support of my staff, their willingness to share and how thoughtfully everyone's stories were treated really made the piece something I'm extremely proud of.

What is your top writing tip for Assembly's young female readers?

Read, and read widely. It's a cliche, but it's absolutely true: no writer becomes a writer without first being a reader. Read things from outside of your perspective, read authors who are very different from you, read things from across the world, read things you wouldn't normally read, read everything and anything regardless of genre or form. The best way to learn about writing is by taking in different perspectives and seeing how other writers translate their experiences into text.

(Courtesy of Jaylin Paschal)

Jaylin Paschal, age 21, U.S.

Editor of Howard University's The Hilltop

Area of study: Strategic communications with a minor in graphic design

Follow: @jaylinpaschal

Tell us about your role as editor.

I’ve had the pleasure of serving as The Hilltop’s editor-in-chief since May of 2018. I’m in my second year now, managing a staff of about 50 student journalists, photographers and creatives. I’m responsible for curating the editorial content, overseeing the production and printing process, and establishing the brand identity. There are also logistical responsibilities like writing letters of recommendation, developing budgets and constantly looking for growth opportunities.

What is the best part of working as an editor? What is most challenging?

Howard University is an extremely historic HBCU [historically black college and university] with a rich legacy in activism and the arts. I love being able to continue defining this legacy by chronicling the university’s stories. I get to work with the most intelligent and dedicated team on campus (though I may be biased) to produce a tangible record of our existence.

Managing a print publication in the new media landscape has proven challenging. A pivot to digital has meant rethinking the way our newsroom works and the way we interact with advertisers. It’s essentially meant the restructuring of a 95-year-old paper that’s been established as a weekly print operation, while functioning on a decreasing budget.

What do you love most about journalism?

I love journalism’s prioritization of truth. The first thing you learn in journalism is accuracy and objectivity. A good story doesn’t need the embellishment of sensationalism, exaggeration or “fake news” to be interesting — it’s just a well-written reflection of the human condition. I think that’s a really special function of journalism no other field can offer.

What issues do you think young people in your country care about most?

I think young people are very concerned about the environment. It comes up frequently on my timeline and even in casual conversations I have with students on campus. Additionally, I think they’re paying close attention to economic equity and opportunity. The charms of capitalism are wearing off on our generation, and we’re having more serious discussions about closing the wealth and wage gaps in the United States. I also think young people are very concerned about racial justice and representation.

What topics do you wish were given more news coverage?

I wish food deserts and private prisons were given more coverage. I think these subjects have a far-reaching impact in the daily lives of my community but are only ever discussed at surface level.

What article(s) are you most proud of and why?

I’m very proud of our recent report on The Hilltop’s financial status. When there were some accounting questions, we were able to address them fairly and accurately. The community was curious about our status and we had a responsibility to be transparent and get them some answers. It’s hard to report on yourself or your organization, but I think we were able to maintain objectivity by presenting the facts and citing several sources. Most importantly, the story prompted a huge response from the Howard community and beyond. It also led to solutions being identified and implemented. It was an example of how effective journalism can really bring about change.

What is your top writing tip for Assembly's young female readers?

Read! It’s so cliche, but all of the best writers I know read avidly and intentionally. It’s the best way to be exposed to ideas and styles. Furthermore, it helps you understand what people aren’t writing about and how you can fill those voids. Young women are incredibly perceptive and empathetic, and the act of constantly consuming and filtering information helps turn those strengths into skills.

Paula Rivera, age 22, Chile

Editor of University of Chile’s Revista Bello Publico

Area of study: Journalism

Follow: @riverisima_

Tell me about your role as editor.

I started working at Revista Bello Público in 2016, my first year in college. I joined because I loved writing and they needed editors. It’s a free university publication so I don’t earn money for my work, but I’ve learned a lot. My responsibilities include choosing topics, writing content and editing texts by other members of the team.

What is the best part of working as an editor? What is most challenging?

The best part about being editor is being able to write and publish articles about topics I find interesting. We need more Latina writers, so I try to contribute from my context. I also made friends and met other journalists from whom I’ve learned a lot. The challenging part is being able to do rigorous journalism despite being a free university magazine. We are committed to the truth and the people.

What do you hope to achieve as editor this upcoming year? What are you most proud of this year?

Chile is going through a revolution, so I will use all the tools and skills at my disposal to support the people and to inform in an ethical and responsible way about the human rights violations committed by Sebastián Piñera’s administration. Chilean people need and deserve all the truth and justice. I’m proud of attending a public university and of being able to work at a media outlet financed by the state. I’m also proud that this year we started our website so our content can reach every part of the world and we can contribute to the fight against climate change.

What do you love most about journalism?

What I love most about journalism is being able to tell great stories. I also think this profession has a very important role in society because it encourages debate and questions those in power. Lastly, I like journalism because it’s versatile and allows you to have direct contact with people.

What topics do you wish were given more news coverage?

Right now there are systematic human rights violations in my country, which Amnesty International, Human Rights Watch and the U.N. have reported on. But media outlets in my country aren’t covering this issue and I think it’s urgent that they do. I’d also like to see coverage on topics related to women’s rights and Indigenous people.

What article(s) are you most proud of and why?

This year I interviewed María Música Sepúlveda, a young woman who was an icon for the student movement in Chile when she was a teenager. I interviewed her before the social outburst on October 18 last year and we had a great conversation about the country’s situation at the time and about how education and organizing are the best ways to fight for dignity and against the inequalities created by the neoliberal system.

What is your top writing tip for Assembly's young female readers?

My main advice is that they follow their curiosity — great topics can come from small questions. Some more advice: read a lot, try to find your own style and don’t be afraid of sharing your work.

These interviews have been edited and condensed for clarity.

McKinley Tretler

(she/her) is Director, Public Relations at Malala Fund and oversees the organisation’s media and messaging strategies. She is passionate about the intersections of pop culture and social justice, with a focus on gender equality and climate action. You can follow her on Instagram and Twitter.