But the essentials of newspaper life were the same in 1995, when I took over from Peter Preston, as they had been in 1821, when the paper was launched in response to the Peterloo Massacre of 1819.
But trust is also essential for any newspaper, particularly one as distinguished as The Times.
Dr David Lowry Stoneleigh, Surrey Alan Rusbridger has shown exceptional skills and imagination in maintaining the balance between "material and moral existence – profit and power", which, as CP Scott wrote 94 years ago, is essential if a newspaper is to be great.
"[it is essential that traditional newspaper companies] put their audience first and return to the heart of their communities," whether through initiatives like iwitness24 or just by getting more reporters out on the street.
Images: Photos and graphics are an essential piece of newspaper design.
"This case has emphasised the essential role of newspapers in disclosing wrongdoing.
What I did say is that we urgently need to answer the question: what are the essential characteristics of newspapers?
The cop beat is one of those essential beats in newspapering where it is, again, sometimes hard to sense that your stories are "making a difference".
"Student essentials!" screams every newspaper in September.
The debate about mutualising some government debt, which this newspaper thinks essential to restoring confidence, has barely begun.
