Each week we ask current or former regional press journalists a series of questions about their careers – where they started out, who or what inspired them to go into journalism, their best story or headline, the best journalist they have worked with or for, and which other newspapers they most admire.
This week: Bob Bounds, editor of the Medway Messenger and Gravesend and Dartford Messenger.
What was your first job in journalism?
Trainee reporter, Isle of Thanet Gazette
Who or what inspired you to go into journalism?
Daily Mail – a great paper in 70s with the best sports writers Jeff Powell, Ian Wooldridge, Brian Scovell. I was sports mad as a youngster and wanted to be a pro footballer and if not, cricketer, or both. When I realised I wouldn’t make it the next best thing was to cover it. I loved listening to radio commentaries and Peter Jones was my hero. I never got into sports journalism though – nor broadcasting!
What would you rate as your best story, headline or picture?
I had a story on the front page of the Sun in 1987 about police shooting a guy involved in an armed robbery who’d previously killed two cops in road smash. My own favourite headline is one for Star in their Eyes winner who performed as Wet Wet Wet’s leader singer: For he’s a jolly good Pellow
Who would you rate as the best journalist you have worked either with or for?
Former Kent Messenger and Kent Today editor Ron Green.
Apart from your own title, which other newspapers do you most admire?
Times Mon-Fri , Saturday Guardian and Observer.