When I was first starting out in journalism, my tutor offered me a piece of sage advice.
What’s that? You thought my random meanderings just emerged, like a hibernating creature in spring?
No, no, this stuff is carefully honed – and based upon years of experience.
Anyway, back to my tutor in Newcastle, where the newspaper group training scheme for my then-employer was based.
“Brian”, he said, “the main thing you need in journalism is rat-like cunning.” Really, you need to pronounce that sentence with a deep Geordie accent.
Not sure I entirely agreed with him. But I took the point. Journalism often consists of the information other folk are seeking to conceal.
I have given occasional talks on the trade of journalism, including to eager students at Glasgow University.
Mostly, I say it is both simple and complex. Simple in that the objective is to find stuff out and tell other people about it.
Complex in that relevant, true and detailed information may not always be readily available.
Particularly in politics – and this may shock you – there will be occasions when there is an effort to conceal the full facts from the public.
That is where the journalism comes in. We seek again and again to find out exactly what is happening – and to present that to you, our readers. It is part of our charm.
Another trope in journalism is that you should stick to the basic questions. Who, what, when, where, why?
I am not going to dissent from that. There is little point indulging in an existential discussion at a news conference. Get to the core.
But we should always remember that final question in the list. Why?
What lies beneath the series of events we are recounting to our readers? What is really going on? What is the motivation driving developments? Or, indeed, the competing motives?
That, I believe, is where The Herald excels. That is what makes it such good value.
OK, I hear you, friend! I would say that, wouldn’t I, given that I write political analysis. Fair point.
But consider all the expert, thoughtful writers available in The Herald stable. All striving to report – and explain – the world to you.
Yes, you will get the core news. Swiftly, succinctly and accurately. Just try relying upon social media for that objective.
But you will also get the analysis. Just what is really going on in Scotland, the UK and across the globe.
You will get the data to inform your lives. The interpretation. And, from time to time, the accompanying humour or drollery.
News, politics, business, the arts, lifestyle, sport, and much more. All in a neat package.
The Herald will always go the extra mile to find stuff out. And to explain just why it matters to you.
I think my Geordie tutor would have approved.
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