All articles, lessons, and modules on Media Helping Media are free to adapt and use.
Interviewing for video journalists
Tips about the steps a video journalist can take to enhance the quality of filmed interviews.
Shoe-leather reporting
Despite the influx of digital information, the foundational skills of "shoe-leather reporting", involving direct contact, investigation, and verification, remain essential for journalists in the modern newsroom.
Unconscious bias and journalism
Bias is a prejudice or favour for or against an individual or group. It is often an inaccurate and unfair judgement. We are all biased. It’s normal, although it is not desirable.
Accuracy in journalism
A media organisation will be judged on the accuracy and reliability of its journalism, which must be well-sourced, supported by strong evidence, examined and tested, clear and unambiguous. Verified facts must form the basis of all news, not rumour or speculation.
How to spot errors in your writing
Most journalists need a second pair of eyes to check through their copy in order to spot any factual, grammatical or spelling mistakes.
Using AI for story development
How artificial intelligence (AI) can help a journalist brainstorm a story in order to discover multiple news angles
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Tips for investigative journalism
This article looks at some of the main points to consider when producing a piece of investigative journalism.
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.
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
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.
Setting up refugee media in exile
This article deals with how refugee communities can set up and operate a successful news organisation when living in exile.
When a ‘big story’ breaks
Big stories happen out of the blue. And when they do newsrooms have to spring into action immediately.
The skills of media project management
If you are planning a media project - whether it be a new programme, covering a live event, launching a new product, there are certain rules you should observe.
Social media test for mainstream media
Does your media organisation have a social media strategy. Does it reach out and connect with your audience?
From digital denial to digital first
Failure to recognise and keep up with changing audience behaviour is one of the most common reasons for media organisations struggling.
Journalistic ethics – scenario
In this scenario a reporter feels ethically compromised after accepting hospitality from a developer who subsequently pressured them for favourable coverage.
Journalistic integrity – scenario
In this scenario a political correspondent working for a broadcaster is asked to speak at an event organised by a political party - but there is a catch.
Returning favours – scenario
In this scenario a naive reporter's early success with a government minister leads to an ethical dilemma when a 'favour' is demanded in return.
Lesson : Privacy
This lesson plan is designed to help journalists learn how to respect privacy while also being thorough as they investigate issues that are in the public interest.
Lesson: Fake News
This lesson plan is designed to help journalists recognise the different types of 'fake news' and discover how to use 'trust chains' to deal with them.
Module: Newsroom Management
This free educational module provides an outline for teaching senior newsroom editors the skills needed to run an efficient newsroom delivering content to multiple platforms.
Module: Training of Trainers
This free educational module provides an outline for teaching senior journalists the skills needed for developing and delivering effective training for media professionals.
Module: Digital Journalism
This free educational module provides an outline for teaching students about the challenges and opportunities facing journalists in the digital age.
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
Media training requirements
For international media training to be successful, tried, tested and proven case studies from a similar region are needed.
Evaluation, impact, and assessment
Training should always be judged by its effectiveness, and there are several tools for measuring success.