THE arrival of what at the time was called “new technology”, which swept like a tsunami across British newspapers in the mid to late 70s, ditching the noisy clack of typewriters for the almost silent click of computer keyboards, changed the working lives of journalists in a few short years.

But in a way, to quote rock star Bruce Springsteen, who was talking about something else entirely, everything changes, but nothing changes.

You can have all the new kit you like, new phones, new computer systems, access to new research sources and the technical ability to transmit a thousand words a second, instead of standing in a public call box slowly reading over your gem of a story via a crackling telephone line to a copytaker the other end who can barely hear you, yet what never changes is the character of the person who makes a good journalist.

People come to the profession from many different directions and with many different aspirations, but all are, or certainly should be, driven by the desire to get things right.

Accuracy at all times is the journalist’s mantra. If you spell a name wrong, print a different charge, or even take down an incorrect quote, it could lead to serious legal trouble.

Learning how to take a good note will instil discipline and ensure accuracy in a fast-moving environment.

Of course everyone makes the odd error and even computers have their off-moments but the overriding principle is always the same – if you are not sure check your facts.

Something that was drilled into me following my very first solo assignment, a charity cheque presentation, when I joyously reported it had been handed over by Mr Charles Worth.

The gentleman concerned went mildly apoplectic because he was actually Mr Charlesworth. “Didn’t you check, Michael?” my news editor boomed. I never forgot again.

The general remit of a local journalist is covering the flotsam and jetsam of daily life, the ups and downs, the court cases, car crashes, accidents, injuries, council meetings, inquests, interviews and all the rest of the incidents that make the world go round.

It is a fascinating job, needs an enquiring mind and an ability to balance, or put both sides, of a story. No two days are the same and one must be prepared for things to change at a moment’s notice.

All journalists now need to know how to work across all publishing platforms, in print, online and broadcast. In the course of one day a multimedia journalist can be expected to write a blog, film a short video piece for web publication and file an in-depth 500-word report for print. You have to be versatile.

However, there is also no template for the ideal journalist. Don’t worry if you were not the editor of the school or university magazine or have never had a short story published.

Crisp, quick and accurate writing is what is called for, not the ability to craft a novel. It will almost certainly take training, but the facilities are on hand for that.

The Worcester News’ latest trainee is 26-year-old Sarah Taylor, a former pupil of Pershore High School, who lives in Eckington. She said : “A career in journalism had always been something I considered. I am basically a very chatty and nosy person who also likes to write, so what better profession?

“After leaving university and working in a number of unfulfilling and dull office jobs I decided it was time to give it a serious try.

“I completed a year course and ended up landing a position on my own local paper – the Evesham Journal – a stroke of luck in what is a hugely competitive industry. Even working in a rural area we still have our fair share of news and so far I have enjoyed pretty much every minute of my career in a newsroom.”

Despite working on the WN for less than six months, Sarah, who was top student on her NCTJ diploma course at the University of Wolverhampton, has already hit the headlines with several front page stories. These have included interviewing a couple who escaped from the cruise liner Costa Concordia, which ran aground off the island of Giglio killing 30 people, a scoop when drug needles were found on two children after playing in two separate Evesham parks within a week and the exciting discovery of Roman coins on Bredon Hill.

Thanks to 21st-century technology, these pieces were on the internet and in public view within a few minutes of being written. Only later did the presses roll and the papers hit the streets. But what hasn’t changed is that someone had to write them in the first place. Someone with a lively mind and a grasp of good English. The two essentials of a successful journalist.

To mark Local Newspaper Week we have set up a temporary Worcester News office in CrownGate, Worcester. We have borrowed a shop unit in Friary Walk every day until Friday in a joint venture with the CrownGate shopping centre.

Pop along between 11am and 2pm and talk to one of our reporters or buy a copy of your Worcester News.