How to spot a news story

What are the telltale signs that help journalists distinguish fact from fiction, and how do they know when they have uncovered an important news story?

What editors look for when hiring

What's the best preparation for a career in journalism? Media Helping Media asked some experts in the field what they look for when hiring staff.

Respecting privacy as a journalist

Journalists face a difficult balancing act. They must respect privacy, but they must also be rigorous and robust in their investigation into issues that are in the public interest.

Photojournalism and ethics

Media Helping Media has produced a set of suggested ethical guidelines for video and photojournalists in order to try to help those in the field navigate everyday editorial issues.

Journalists and politicians

Journalism is often referred to as “the fourth estate”, and is seen as being crucial to the functioning of a healthy and fair society.

How to motivate journalists

Your daily news meeting should set the tone for everything your news organisation does. It should be dynamic, brimming with original ideas and angles, inclusive and agenda-setting.

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Journalism training at Hurriyat Sudan.Media Helping Media provides free journalism and media management training resources.

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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.

The investigative journalism mindset

The investigative mindset is responsible for solving more information mysteries than probably any other factor. If you haven’t started writing down your best strategies now might be the time to start.

Investigating corruption

A journalist investigating corruption faces many risks and challenges. Investigative journalist Don Ray shares his experience.

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.

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.

The content value matrix

In this module we look at the 'content value matrix, a tool designed to help media managers prioritise effort and resources on the stories that really matter to the target audience.

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.

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.

Managing people and setting objectives

Media managers need to set clear objectives for all staff in order to get the best out of those who work for the news organisation.

Emotional assumptions – scenario

In this scenario a journalist lets their own emotional assumptions colour their news judgement resulting in misinformation.

Accuracy – scenario

Scenario: There has been a strike at a steel works. The union claims all its 100,000 members were out on strike, but the employer says 50% turned up for work and defied the picket line. You were reporting from the main gates of the steel plant all day and you didn't see anyone crossing the picket line. What do you report?

Covering a tragedy – scenario

In this scenario we look at how a journalist should act when they witness a tragedy unfolding and have to decide whether to help, or to stand by and report. The scenario also looks at how senior editorial managers could, and probably should, support their journalists working in difficult conditions.

Lesson: Integrity in journalism

This lesson plan teaches students the importance of maintaining integrity in all their dealing in order to investigate issues thoroughly and truthfully without being influenced by external pressures.

Lesson: Developing a news sense

Developing a news sense in order to spot a story's importance to the audience.

Lesson: Proactive journalism

This lesson plan teaches journalists how to take a proactive approach to newsgathering by investigating, anticipating, exploring, and exposing stories of significant public interest.

Lesson: Proactive journalism

This lesson plan teaches journalists how to take a proactive approach to newsgathering by investigating, anticipating, exploring, and exposing stories of significant public interest.

Lesson: Impartiality in journalism

This lesson plan is designed to teach students the importance of impartiality in journalism and the avoidance of bias.

Lesson: AI-powered investigations

This lesson plan sets out how journalists can use artificial intelligence (AI) in investigative journalism.

12 tips for international media trainers

Those invited to help the media overseas need to ensure that the training they offer is continually refreshed so that it's up-to-date and sensitive to local issues and better addresses local needs.

Developing the potential of your staff

Media training is about investing in people - your staff. They are your most precious resource.

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, what is expected of them and how you intend to schedule course elements.