THIS coming Friday in London I am chairing my first meeting of something that's known in the trade as the JQB, the Journalism Qualifications Board.

It's part of the National Council for the Training of Journalists, a charitable foundation that delivers industry standard qualification for print and broadcast.

I have been involved with the organisation for more than 20 years on and off, both in my role as a journalist and as a lecturer in public affairs at Bournemouth University.

Joining the NCTJ Board and chairing the JQB is timely, given the growing debate about standards in the industry and the challenges faced these days by all newsrooms, not least in the regional media.

I raise this 'technical' stuff because as editor of this paper (and numerous other publications and platforms including the Christchurch Times, Dorset Living, Dorset Business, the Heralds and of course our website), I am on the receiving end of criticism about what we do and how we do it - and that of course is part of the job. But that criticism has changed and it's a reflection of a different media landscape.

What's different now is that we can't cover everything we used to, because we have fewer reporters. We ask people to supply more of their own content. Reporters don't just write these days. They take pictures and video. They upload to the website and report and promote their stories through social media. They often write their stories directly on to pages (indeed as I'm doing with this column). And they interact with people more than ever and reach a bigger audience than ever. They work harder than ever and are more skilled than they have ever been. So this makes some of the comments that land on my desk or in my inbox more than a little irritating.

For example, the storm of protest recently over our (small) story about the police having their breakfast at the rather excellent canteen at Royal Bournemouth Hospital. The story wasn't critical, it was attempt at humour, though clearly unsuccessful! I responded personally to a number of correspondents but only one made me truly angry, a man who suggested I get an adult to write the story next time.

I politely invited him to check out the Tara Russell's work online and to look at the brilliant features she has written on health matters. He did and at least had the grace to write back and apologise.

Then there is correspondent who emails in after story on the investigation into the business affairs of Bournemouth's council leader to say it's all a smear and a vendetta. No, it is not. It's called scrutiny - of which there is little in local government these days.

In my capacity as chair of the JQB, I was asked to do a Q&A on where journalism is right now and in the context of the above, I can do no better than share the last three answers.

Would you still recommend a career in the local press? Many local newspapers have closed in recent years.

I would. Even if the job is not forever, the local media/newsroom remains a brilliant place to learn about all sorts of things and develop a multitude of very transferable skills in this competitive and challenging digital age.

What’s the best thing about working in local newspapers?

Holding power to account, making trouble, doing good things and giving people a voice. And working with dedicated and hardworking journalists who are totally committed to their cause.

And the toughest?

Doing the above with fewer resources, knowing you can't do everything you used to and that more people, especially but not exclusively, in the public sector, are getting away with stuff.

If you could go back in time, what careers advice would you give to your 18-year-old self?

Always believe in what you do.

If you have any observations or questions about what we do or how we do it, please contact me and I will respond.

andy.martin@bournemouthecho.co.uk.