Tormented to the brink of sobriety by the atmosphere of gloom and redundancy pervading our beloved news industry, my friends at the Independent asked me to justify creating a degree in journalism. “How can you subject those brilliant, delightful, inspiring young people to academic rigour, editorial conferences and shorthand when job prospects look less healthy than the Zimbabwe Dollar?” they asked. ‘Are you a depraved tyrant? Do you drink with Phil Spector?” I might have confessed all, but I chose to tell the truth. You can read the online version of my answer here. An extended version appeared in the print edition of the Indy on Monday. Onwards and ever upwards.