Find out how to make the best use of the training material on Media Helping Media.
Preserving the fundamentals of good journalism
Media Helping Media (MHM) works to safeguard the core principles of accurate and impartial public-service journalism. We provide free training resources designed to be downloaded, adapted, and used worldwide.
Free resources to meeting multiple training needs
One-hour self-teaching exercises for journalism students working alone.
Two-hour and four-hour workshops for smaller group training.
One-day lesson outlines for trainers to adapt to specific training needs
Six-week course modules created from MHM lessons.
One-day refresher courses based on MHM modules.
Free tools for introducing effective and efficient newsroom and management systems.
Try our introduction to journalism curriculum then take the MHM news professionalism test.
Find out Constructing a news package for radio
This is a short training module setting out the basics for creating a news package for radio. It's been created for those starting out in radio journalism.
Tool: MHM Story Builder
The Media Helping Media’s Story Builder is a simple tool created to help those who are new to journalism write informative news articles.
Citizen reporting to citizen journalism
This article was written for a group of young citizen reporters from remote rural communities in Zimbabwe who were learning how to become journalists.
Why editorial ethics are important
The Media Helping Media ethics section is designed to help journalists navigate some of the challenges they might face as they go about their work.
Integrity and journalism
Without integrity your journalism is untrustworthy and suspect. Integrity is essential if a journalist wants to investigate issues, shine a light in dark places, and to dig where others don't.
Conflicts of interest
In journalism, public trust is essential for credibility. One of the most significant threats to that trust are the many possible conflicts of interest that might confront journalists.
The use of idioms in journalism
Journalists producing serious news coverage must always write in a way that is clear, accurate, free from jargon.
Covering climate change
Reporting on climate change poses a series of significant challenges to journalists. The subject is highly topical, highly controversial and involves complicated scientific research.
The role of the media lawyer
Many news stories involve straightforward reporting on events, but some more complex stories might require legal advice before they are published.
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
Why would anyone want to talk to a journalist?
An investigative journalist has to encourage people to share information that they had previously withheld.
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.
When a ‘big story’ breaks
Big stories happen out of the blue. And when they do newsrooms have to spring into action immediately.
Community radio running order
The following is a 24-hour daily schedule for a community radio station, balancing core programming elements with listener engagement and local relevance.
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.
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.
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.
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?
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."
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.
Scenario: Conflict of interests
In this scenario you are a political correspondent working for a national public service broadcaster. A lobbying company offers you a significant amount of money to train lobbyists in how to influence the media. What do you do?
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.
Tool: Optimism index for media trainers
The 'Optimism Index' is a tool designed for trainers of group journalism sessions to gauge and ultimately improve the participants' hope for the future.
Tool: Training of Trainers (ToT)
Training of Trainers (ToT) courses are designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to train others.
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The content on Media Helping Media (MHM) is released via Creative Commons BY NC SA 4.0.