JON SLATTERY

Diploma

Retired former deputy editor of Press Gazette

By Megan Geal

What did you fnd most diffcult about getting started in journalism?

Finding a way in. There was only one postgraduate course in Cardiff when I graduated. Then I spotted an ad for the new City course in the New Statesman and applied.

What is one standout moment in your career?

When I frst started at Press Gazette, we got the story that Eddy Shah was to launch a new paper called Today using new technology and bypassing the print unions. It was the beginning of the end of the old Fleet Street, where we were based, and soon the printers and journalists would all be gone.

What is a memorable interview you’ve conducted?

When I worked on an evening paper, I was sent to interview the wrestler Big Daddy, whose real name was Shirley Crabtree. I asked him if wrestling was faked. He said it wasn’t. Big Daddy was 6’6 and weighed 26 stone, so I didn’t argue.

The class of ‘78 included David Brindle and Alan Travis (both The Guardian) and we have remained friends. David sits on the board of several mental health charities and Alan is writing a book on Margaret Thatcher.

How has the world of journalism changed since you left City?

Time has been compressed, perspective lost, and very little sober second thought. The internet means people can listen to and read what confrms their beliefs, ignoring the rest, which breaks down civil societies.

Why did you get into journalism?

I was just nosey, I think. I left school at 15 with only English as a qualifcation, and so it appeared as a possible career choice. A random chat with a local hack in my hometown in Warwickshire convinced me it was an exciting, moderately disreputable job that might suit me. It was another fve or six years after studying English and American Studies at university until I decided to have a fnal big push to get into journalism. I’ve never forgotten the day the City acceptance dropped through my letter box.

Who is your favourite journalist and why?

There are many, but the late Gordon Greig, my political editor at the Daily Mail back when David English was editor (also a brilliant journalist), stands out. Gordon was a great story-getter, had a contacts book to kill for, was widely trusted across the political spectrum (as far as that ever goes in the job), and had a wonderful sense of humour. He never appeared to take anything too seriously, which only disguised how seriously he took things. Every Westminster hack feared the exclusive he would come out with next to spoil their day. He was always generous enough to share them with you once frst editions had dropped! He started as a copy boy in Glasgow and worked his way through the ranks - something that couldn’t happen now, sadly. His best bit of advice: ‘Remember you are not a political reporter. You are a reporter covering politics.’

What is the funniest experience you’ve had on the job?

There was a madame in Streatham called Cynthia Payne who was very famous. She lived in a residential house in Streatham and people had to pay her in luncheon vouchers. She had peers – her clientele was incredible. Anyway, she wrote a book. I had just joined the BBC then, so some of my female colleagues and I went to the launch party. It was a perfectly normal launch party – she talked about the book – and then at some point, probably when the sun set, it turned into a sex party! So I was there in my early 20s and all these men kept coming up to me asking: ‘Are you a working girl?”, and I was going, ‘Actually, I work for the BBC…’