What makes a good reporter?

Mr X, editor of the Isle of Wight County Press, believes in the three D’s when depicting a good reporter.

Taking 27 years to become the editor of a local paper, X said “there are many attributes to being a good reporter but there are three that are indispensable”. These include the three D’s: Determination in “always want[ing] to squeeze the best out of whatever story you are working on”, to never skimp on Detail in a story, the editor of the paper can always take out excess, but it is not as easy to add facts to a story.

“Doggedness” is also important, “a good reporter will use wit and imagination to get the information they need and never give up on trying to achieve the story.”

Having started as a trainee for the Chester Observer, he went on to become the deputy sports editor, before moving to the Isle of Wight to take the role of sports editor, at the County Press, in 1984.

In 1989 he became sub-editor of the news before becoming deputy editor ten years ago. In April this year he became editor of the Island’s popular broadsheet, which is read by over 40,000 people weekly.

X's tips on becoming a good reporter include being a good listener, not taking ‘no’ for an answer and suspicion of those in authority. He says “a famous journalist once said his premise for any story involving those in powers was to go into the interview thinking ‘why is this b*****d lying to me?’”

X says it is important for a budding reporter to “write plenty, get lots of work experience and do your research on the paper, its town and its issues before going into an interview.”

X has been working in the newspaper industry for 27 years having started at the Chester Observer when he was just 18.

Early memories differ to the youth of today.

James Edgar’s earliest memory was walking through fields and climbing over fences on his way to school in Scotland.

Pensioner James, 78, of Talbot Park Road, Winton, reflected on how different and safe life was when he was growing up in Glasgow at the end of the Second World War in 1939. His account of early life differs somewhat to that of today, where exams took place every six months, chalk was used to write on the blackboard and “more discipline was given to prevent us from being naughty to the teachers”.

The youngest of four, with three sisters, James grew up in Glasgow, where crime was less heard off and he “never saw a bit of trouble in [his] life.” He reflected fondly on how he used to make his way to primary school in the mornings, by himself, through fields and over fences, hearing or seeing no trouble; unlike today where many parents wouldn’t allow their children to walk to school alone. He mentioned how different it was compared to his eldest sister's accounts of life after she moved to Canada.

James, who has three children and one grandchild, started primary school at the age of five and joined secondary school at the age of twelve. At the age of fourteen he left to start work for a Glaswegian ship building company. He met his wife at senior secondary in Glasgow at the age of fourteen. They later married in Edinburgh in 1957 and moved to Bounemouth in 1981. The couple celebrated their golden wedding anniversary earlier this year.