Check out our short guide setting out how to make the best use of the free training resources on Media Helping Media.
Media Helping Media (MHM)
Preserving and promoting the core principles of accurate, impartial, public-service journalism by offering free training materials in multiple formats to be downloaded, adapted, and used.
Essential Journalism Values
CHECK OUT MORE THAN 250 ARTICLES ON JOURNALISM BEST PRACTICEFree Journalism Learning Materials
DOWNLOAD AND ADAPT MORE THAN 140 ASSORTED TRAINING RESOURCESPitching a news story to an editor
Whether you're a journalist or reporter, learn how to pitch stories effectively to ensure they are accepted by your editor every time.
Preparing for an interview
A journalist needs to be well-prepared when planning an interview. However, after all your research, try to keep the interview to three questions in order to avoid over-complication and confusion.
News writing for beginners
A journalist writing a news story is the author, organiser and decision maker. Without them the story may never be told.
Respecting privacy as a journalist
Journalists must balance privacy rights with the need for rigorous, robust investigation into matters of public interest.
Photojournalism and ethics
The following are commonly accepted ethical guidelines for photojournalists adopted by most mainstream media.
Unconscious bias and journalism
Bias is a prejudice for or against a group, often leading to unfair judgements. While it's a normal human trait, understanding our biases is vital for fairness.
Forms of information disorder
With the spread of fake news, journalists need to recognise and understand the different categories, types, elements, and phases of information disorder.
Handling breaking news
Journalists need to have a system in place for covering a breaking news story in order to know who does what and when.
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.
Dealing with suspects as news sources
Sources are one of the most valuable resources for a journalist. They need to be handled with care in order to build trust and gain knowledge.
Investigating corruption
A journalist investigating corruption faces many risks and challenges. Investigative journalist Don Ray shares his experience.
How to investigate official documents
The investigative journalist never takes things at face value. They probe and question in order to get to the truth, especially with official
Story development techniques
Journalists need to look for related stories, angles, or missing pieces of a story in order to help the audience understand the importance of the issue being covered.
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.
Organising effective newsgathering
Here we look at ways to set up a strong newsgathering team from planning, production through to output.
Social media test for mainstream media
Does your media organisation have a social media strategy. Does it reach out and connect with your audience on every device they are turning to for information?
Project management skills
Successful media projects, whether new programmes, live event coverage or product launches, rely on following specific regulatory rules and industry guidelines.
Knowing your audience
Identifying the target audience and discovering the information needs of readers, listeners and viewers, is essential for formulating an editorial proposition.
Legal threats – scenario
In this scenario a local newspaper reporter faces legal threats for a factual planning application report that lacked the applicant's demanded "positive spin."
Informed consent – scenario
In this scenario a reporter covering a disaster films a grief-stricken woman before discovering the facts about the ordeal she has witnessed.
Editorial impartiality – scenario
In this scenario a reporter covering a story about medical malpractice in a hospital discovers that the consultant involved is a relative. What should they do?
Training needs assessment
Thorough research is the essential if you are to deliver high-impact media training. Never accept a brief from media managers without question - they could be wrong and often are.
Tool: SMART objectives for media training
Those delivering media training need to focus on SMART objectives, which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound.
Tool: Training of Trainers (ToT)
Training of Trainers (ToT) courses are designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to train others.
Tool: SMART objectives for media training
Those delivering media training need to focus on SMART objectives, which are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound.
Tool: Story Weighting System
Different news stories have a different value for your audience and for your business. Giving news items a 'weighting' can lead to impact and efficiencies.
Tool: Motive, veracity, and security (MVS) matrix
This free Media Helping Media matrix is designed to help journalists assess the risks and benefits of investigating a tip-off or a leak.
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The content on Media Helping Media (MHM) is released via Creative Commons BY NC SA 4.0.