FREE JOURNALISM RESOURCES

HUNDREDS OF TRAINING ARTICLES, LESSONS, AND MODULES

Clarity is as important as accuracy

Journalists must write clearly as well as accurately using accessible language that the audience can understand.

Essential elements of a news story

Pyramid journalism and the essential elements for writing a news story.

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Journalism and activism

Can a journalist also be an activist for a cause without compromising the core editorial values of journalism?

What is data journalism?

Data journalism, also known as data-driven journalism, is the process of finding, understanding, and processing information in order to produce news stories.

Interviewing without questions

Some interviews don't have to be a rigid question-and-answer session. A more conversational approach - without asking a single question - can sometimes yield richer insights.

Is your journalism ethical?

Reliable journalism is based on applying strict editorial ethics to all we do so that we can examine the issues that have the most impact on the lives of our audience.

Respecting privacy as a journalist

Journalists face a difficult balancing act. They must respect privacy, but they must also investigate issues that are in the public interest.

Impartiality in journalism

For journalists, being impartial means presenting information without demonstrating favouritism towards any specific viewpoint or party.

Building a news team from scratch

Selecting, training and organising a strong news team is a challenge in any circumstances, but doing so in a refugee camp with no resources is an amazing achievement. One editor explains how it was done.

Convergence: workflows, roles and responsibilities

A converged newsroom operates like a 'content factory', with a centralised 'command and control' desk responsible for all news intake, production and output.

Building a newsroom staffing rota

Every news operations needs a staffing rota that provides excellent coverage during operational hours, makes maximum use of resources, and offers significant benefits for staff.

Female representation in news leadership and coverage

Is your news organisation and its output male dominated? Are women fairly represented in newsroom leadership roles and the stories covered?

Preparing a media corporate plan

The corporate plan is the most important tool in a media chief executive’s toolbox. Without it the media organisation can become lost and directionless.

The project management process

In this example, we were asked at short notice to help produce a televised debate between political candidates before a general election. We had three-and-half weeks to make it happen.

Withholding information – scenario

In this scenario a journalist comes across information that changes the focus of a story the editor had asked them to write. Should they include it or withhold it.

Accuracy – scenario

In this scenario a reporter witnesses a mass walkout of workers from a factory affected by industrial action. The company claims it's business as usual; the union says all workers have downed tools.

Photo journalism – scenario

In this scenario a reporter tells the newsdesk that she has a strong news story only to find that the facts were not as they seemed.

Media training requirements

For international media training to be successful, tried, tested and proven case studies from a similar region are needed.

The qualities required for media training

A trainer must not shout at participants or get into loud arguments. They must not make those attending their courses feel small or humiliate them. 

Basic rules for delivering training

One of the first steps in delivering training is to articulate the ground rules. Participants need to know what to expect and what is expected of them