Born in Hov, Norway, Narum has degrees in political science, history and English from the University of Oslo.
[1] He started his career in journalism at Oppland Arbeiderblad in 1964, joining the Norwegian News Agency in 1969.
[2] Narum joined the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation in 1975, where he headed the international newsroom at Dagsnytt from 1984 to 1987.
[8] His retirement ceremony was attended by Jens Stoltenberg, then Prime Minister of Norway, who made a surprise speech.
[9][10][11] Following his retirement from journalism, Narum was recruited by Julie Brodtkorb as a communications consultant at JKL Group, becoming a colleague of Göran Persson.