File SCO - Memoir of Steve Cook

1 file

Part of project by the Guardian to gather material for the archive.

Typed memoir of Steve Cook's time at the Guardian from 1978-1997.

Steve starts his short memoir in 1987, as he says much of his time at the paper before this time had already been written about.

The memoir starts by discussing the transition from old technology to new. He mentions how the influx of new technology eroded the notion that the Guardian was a "writer's paper".

Steve then talks about the new arrivals in the press - The Independent and the Sunday Correspondent - and how they played a part in prompting the Guardian to re-design itself. He talks of the tension between the modernisers and the traditionalists at the paper.

He goes on to talk about the increase in features, and how, during the nineties, news reporters were often trying to write big pieces in the new G2 section.

News editors during his time are also discussed, including Peter Cole, Melanie Phillips and Paul Johnson.

Administrative/Biographical history: Steve Cook wrote the Diary for the Guardian from 1985 to 1988. He then went on to work for the newsdesk as managing editor from 1993 to 1997.

Copyright: Steve Cook