From the front lines of South Africa apartheid and the remarkable days of Nelson Mandela, to the world calibre news rooms of the BBC, to Nelson, then Saskatchewan’s biggest news website and radio operations.

A veteran broadcaster who covered West Kootenay news for 12 years says good journalism may make a come back thanks to renewed efforts by some media ownership groups to increase spending on newsrooms.

Glenn Hicks, who’s career included top-level reporting positions with the South African Broadcasting Company and the BBC, says sound journalism requires strong staff.

“People want to know a little bit about a lot, and that takes people,” Hicks told listeners to Kootenay Morning Wednesday. “It’s about making everything important.”

Hicks, who since leaving Nelson a few years ago, has built one of the most visited news websites, and largest radio news teams in Saskatchewan, added that “if you’re going to do radio, do it right. You need staff.”

The veteran newsman says with our attention spans shorter than ever, and the distraction and power of cell phones, many of us — young people in particular —have forgotten about the power and beauty of simple conversation.

Hicks also reflected on the many iconic stars in popular culture and professional sports he crossed paths with, in his time as an anchor in South Africa and London.

You can listen to the entire interview here.