Refresher in what makes great editors – human beings, too.

By Alec Hogg

Over the past couple days I've been interviewing people who were close to or worked for legendary financial editor George Palmer. The podcast will be available later in the week.

As a taster, here's a couple of things I've learned about this remarkable man who died aged 92 on New Year's Day.

Palmer, who until a few months ago taught global economics weekly to a packed lecture hall, never used two words when one would do. And his principles were not for sale – despite numerous attempts from billionaires, litigious lawyers and politicians.

An ideology every modern editor would do well to absorb. Indeed, not just editors.

(Comments from readers)

Hi Alec,

May you and yours have a healthy, happy, joyful, peaceful, and prosperous 2018.

Yes, I had a huge collection as well. Gave me hours of fun. Gave it to some cousin's kid, together with huge Scalelectrix set-up. Stimulated the imagination no end. Today's kids with all the electronic gadgetry is missing out on so much. Radio used to be the theatre of the mind, TV, cellphones, etc the theatre of the mindless. Pity.

Thanks for wonderful forum, may you go from strength to strength.

Take care,

Peter.

Dear Daily insider,

I had the privilege of working for George Palmer in my first real  journalism job, starting in 1966. I had qualified as a lawyer at UCT, worked as a prosecutor, got fed up with that and edited house journals for AECI for a year during which time I read the Financial Mail every week and decided that was where I wanted to work. We all worshipped George and would have followed him anywhere. He initially put me to work on the 3rd party insurance fraud cases – Parity and Auto Protection etc. it was pretty exciting working with the police on these cases. Later when I had my first child I was called " a permanent part time " employee . George was a pretty enlightened employer of women and I worked on my stories at home after going into the office / town for editorial meetings and interviews for stories. His guidance re stories was always spot on and he shaped my writing style- less is more! Working with him was  a marvellous experience.

Kind regards,

Sheila Camerer

Former M P ,  Dep Min of Justice . DA Justice spokesperson and SA Ambassador to Bulgaria