William Baxter

My first role in journalism was with the Ipswich Star and East Anglian Daily Times after completing my journalism degree. It was a great introduction to the industry, covering everything from local news and community stories to business and events. Working in a fast-paced newsroom taught me the fundamentals of reporting, interviewing, fact-checking, meeting tight deadlines, and writing for a wide range of audiences.

No, I’ve never used a typewriter. I started out in journalism just as digital publishing was becoming the norm, so my experience has always been with computers, content management systems, and online newsrooms. That said, I have a lot of respect for the journalists who had to work without spellcheck, Google, or the ability to instantly update a story after publication.

Social media has fundamentally changed how news is discovered, consumed, and shared. For many people, platforms like X, LinkedIn, TikTok, Reddit, and YouTube have become the first place they encounter a story rather than a publication’s homepage. The biggest change is speed. News now breaks in real time, often through eyewitnesses, experts, or companies themselves. At the same time, that speed creates challenges around verification, misinformation, and context. Journalists are increasingly expected not only to report stories but also to explain them, fact-check claims, and engage directly with audiences. Social media has also shifted the focus from simply publishing articles to building communities and conversations around journalism. The publications that perform best today are often those that can combine trusted reporting with strong audience engagement across multiple platforms.