What are the responsibilities and job description for the Copy Editor, CNN Headlines, CNN’s FAST channel position at CNN?
Welcome to Warner Bros. Discovery… the stuff dreams are made of.
Who We Are…
When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…
From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.
We are the now and the next. The power behind the people building the future. We are born from the spirit of innovation. We are created from the idea that people around the world want more, need more, deserve more. We are the home of the global digital revolution. We are CNN.
To see what it’s like to work at CNN, follow @WBDLife on Instagram and X!
Your New Role...
CNN is looking for a sharp, detail-driven Copy Editor to join our editorial team. In this pivotal role, you’ll help shape the clarity, accuracy, and tone of our on-air scripts, ensuring every word reflects CNN’s commitment to excellence. You’ll collaborate closely with producers and writers, playing a key role in maintaining the editorial integrity and style of our programming—even under intense breaking news pressure. Your editorial sensibility will guide you in making quick, accurate decisions, while your understanding of video production will enable you to contribute effectively to every stage of the production process.
Your Role Accountabilities...
This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.
Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.
Who We Are…
When we say, “the stuff dreams are made of,” we’re not just referring to the world of wizards, dragons and superheroes, or even to the wonders of Planet Earth. Behind WBD’s vast portfolio of iconic content and beloved brands, are the storytellers bringing our characters to life, the creators bringing them to your living rooms and the dreamers creating what’s next…
From brilliant creatives, to technology trailblazers, across the globe, WBD offers career defining opportunities, thoughtfully curated benefits, and the tools to explore and grow into your best selves. Here you are supported, here you are celebrated, here you can thrive.
We are the now and the next. The power behind the people building the future. We are born from the spirit of innovation. We are created from the idea that people around the world want more, need more, deserve more. We are the home of the global digital revolution. We are CNN.
To see what it’s like to work at CNN, follow @WBDLife on Instagram and X!
Your New Role...
CNN is looking for a sharp, detail-driven Copy Editor to join our editorial team. In this pivotal role, you’ll help shape the clarity, accuracy, and tone of our on-air scripts, ensuring every word reflects CNN’s commitment to excellence. You’ll collaborate closely with producers and writers, playing a key role in maintaining the editorial integrity and style of our programming—even under intense breaking news pressure. Your editorial sensibility will guide you in making quick, accurate decisions, while your understanding of video production will enable you to contribute effectively to every stage of the production process.
Your Role Accountabilities...
- Review and edit scripts for accuracy, clarity, grammar, balance, and tone
- Ensure all copy adheres to CNN’s editorial standards, stylebook, and legal guidelines
- Verify all on-air elements including graphics, fonts, and video cues for accuracy and consistency
- Offer editorial feedback and coaching to writers and producers as needed
- Rewrite or rework scripts to enhance clarity and make them more compelling and conversational for anchors
- Communicate script issues proactively with producers, flagging concerns early and offering solutions
- Check that scripts align with approved source material, and confirm video and font information is correct
- Format scripts properly with production cues for the control room and directorial team
- Occasionally write scripts and take an active role in preparing the editorial rundown
- Write and line produce segments or shows as needed, particularly during breaking news or high-volume shifts
- Contribute to network-wide editorial excellence by pointing out errors or discrepancies in scripts, wires, or on-air content
- Understand video production processes and contribute to video editing tasks if needed, ensuring scripts align perfectly with on-screen visuals and sound
- Demonstrate a high editorial sensibility, making swift editorial decisions in fast-paced environments to uphold CNN’s journalistic standards
- 5 years of full-time experience in broadcast news writing and/or editing
- Four-year college degree or equivalent professional newsroom experience
- Expert-level editing skills with a strong grasp of accuracy, tone, balance, and style
- Proven ability to produce high-quality, deadline-driven content quickly and efficiently
- Strong adaptability—able to pivot during breaking news, match anchor styles, and rewrite on the fly
- Team-oriented, enthusiastic, and proactive approach to collaboration
- Familiarity with CNN’s Stylebook, editorial standards, and font coding preferred
- Comfortable taking initiative and leading the scriptwriting process across segments
- A solid understanding of video production and the ability to edit video if needed to ensure visual and editorial cohesion
This last bit is probably the most important! Here at WBD, our guiding principles are the core values by which we operate and are central to how we get things done. You can find them at www.wbd.com/guiding-principles/ along with some insights from the team on what they mean and how they show up in their day to day. We hope they resonate with you and look forward to discussing them during your interview.
Championing Inclusion at WBD
Warner Bros. Discovery embraces the opportunity to build a workforce that reflects a wide array of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences. Being an equal opportunity employer means that we take seriously our responsibility to consider qualified candidates on the basis of merit, without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, mental or physical disability, and genetic information, marital status, citizenship status, military status, protected veteran status or any other category protected by law.
If you’re a qualified candidate with a disability and you require adjustments or accommodations during the job application and/or recruitment process, please visit our accessibility page for instructions to submit your request.
