FT editor Khalaf talks about how the paper’s staff is working remotely

Financial Times editor Roula Khalaf told Jane Barrett of Reuters, and the global online audience for WAN-IFRA’s World Media Leaders eSummit, how the FT has been navigating the pandemic, how it continues to innovate, and the story it needs to own.

Brian Veseling of WAN-IFRA writes, “‘For us it’s been both a huge challenge, but also just an amazing opportunity because it’s been the story of our lifetime,’ Khalaf said. ‘Part of it is our sort of sweet spot, which is the business and the economic side, but it’s also opened our eyes to the science reporting that we have which has really blossomed during this period.’

“Another high point for the FT has been its data journalism, especially its data tracker. ‘Our coronavirus tracker is our single most viewed piece of journalism ever,’ she said.

“As for the benefits and downsides of working remotely, Khalaf said ‘a lot of reporters can work from home without any problem, without any issue. I’ve learned that I would prefer for news editors to be in the newsroom. I have also learned there is an element of serendipity that we miss, that there is an element of creativity that may not be as sharp when you are working from home.’

“‘I think overall you can do this for quite a while,’ she added, ‘but for me it’s not what I would like to do in the long term. I do think this will allow us to create more flexibility for journalists in general, and I think that is something that will endure. But not to be a completely remote working organisation.'”

Read more here.