Flag
A Flag is a term used in newspaper publishing to describe prominent headlines or stories placed at the top of a newspaper's front page. It's like a spotlight that draws readers' attention to the most important news of the day. Sometimes called a "banner headline" or "banner story," these are typically the biggest and most eye-catching stories that help sell newspapers. The term can also refer to the newspaper's nameplate or masthead - the distinctive title design at the very top of the front page that shows the newspaper's name.
Examples in Resumes
Developed eye-catching Flag stories that increased newsstand sales by 15%
Created compelling Flag headlines for major breaking news events
Managed daily selection of Flag stories for front page placement
Redesigned the newspaper's Flag and masthead to improve brand recognition
Typical job title: "News Editors"
Also try searching for:
Where to Find News Editors
Professional Organizations
Job Boards
Industry Networks
Example Interview Questions
Senior Level Questions
Q: How do you decide which stories deserve flag treatment on the front page?
Expected Answer: Should discuss news judgment, audience engagement metrics, competing stories' importance, and ability to balance breaking news with planned coverage while considering both local and national impact.
Q: How have you handled major breaking news situations that required last-minute flag changes?
Expected Answer: Should demonstrate experience with quick decision-making, team coordination, meeting print deadlines, and maintaining quality under pressure.
Mid Level Questions
Q: What factors do you consider when writing flag headlines?
Expected Answer: Should explain importance of clarity, accuracy, reader interest, space constraints, and how headlines affect newspaper sales and online clicks.
Q: How do you coordinate with other departments when planning flag stories?
Expected Answer: Should discuss collaboration with reporters, photographers, designers, and printing team to ensure smooth execution of front page coverage.
Junior Level Questions
Q: What makes a good flag story?
Expected Answer: Should be able to explain basic news values like timeliness, impact, prominence, and human interest.
Q: How do you ensure accuracy in flag headlines?
Expected Answer: Should discuss fact-checking processes, working with multiple sources, and importance of precise language in headlines.
Experience Level Indicators
Junior (0-2 years)
- Basic headline writing
- Understanding of news values
- Copy editing
- Basic layout design
Mid (2-5 years)
- Advanced headline writing
- Front page layout
- Breaking news management
- Team coordination
Senior (5+ years)
- Editorial decision making
- Crisis coverage management
- Staff leadership
- Strategic content planning
Red Flags to Watch For
- Poor writing skills or grammar mistakes
- Lack of news judgment
- No experience with deadlines
- Unable to explain basic journalistic principles
- No understanding of headline writing
Related Terms
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