We might begin by observing that different types of journalism require to some extent different qualities in the journalists practising them. In the so-called quality press, for example, analytical articles on political and economic policy evidently require a high standard of technical expertise in subjects such as political science, sociology or economics.

But not just any graduate fresh from university would make a good political commentator - years of experience, of observation of the political scene are needed to develop the necessary maturity of outlook. Such a journalist would also need to be capable of objectivity, intelligent and broad-minded enough to see the various sides of a situation. Only then will she or he be seen as a leader of opinion.

The ?foreign correspondent? will by nature be a person who loves travel and adventure. To excel in this field he or she would also need the ability to be able to grasp very rapidly the essentials of life in the country concerned. No use coming there with a narrow, ill-informed outlook - the journalist must be able to transcend cultural differences to gain insight into ?local? situations.

Journalists who report from the ?hot-spots? of the world, often on war and terrorism, need to have strong nerves as well - in fact they are often in as much danger as the military and several have been victims of ?cross-fire? in recent years. Investigative reporters may be victims of intimidation when following up stories on criminals such as the Mafia and here too they need much courage to persevere.

Having said this, we may add in more general terms that there is one essential quality that all journalists must possess, whether they are leaders of world opinion or modest reporters on a local paper and that is respect for the truth. None of them will be taken seriously ever again if they have been found to have falsified information for whatever reason.

One might also generalise further by saying that the shy, retiring sort of person had better avoid a career in the press as a journalist surely needs to be an outgoing, confident, even pushy sort of individual, not afraid to ask embarrassing or unwelcome questions.

Tenacity would be another useful quality to possess... ?Human interest? stories, so important in the popular press today, would require the journalist to be able to identify fully with others, to enter into their problems and sometimes to probe for details at the expense of people?s privacy or personal grief. It seems there is no limit to the reading public?s thirst for scandal and sensation. A journalist has to have a strong stomach to venture to report on certain painful situations such as the aftermath of last year?s tsunami and perhaps has to inure himself to other people?s suffering to some extent.

Finally of course, since the journalist deals in words, she or he needs to have an excellent command of language, the ability to awaken and sustain the interest of his readers and a style that pleases and satisfies.