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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 ValuesCheck out more than 250 articles on journalism best practice
Free Learning MaterialsDownload and adapt more than 140 assorted training resources
Developing and applying news sense
How do we know what is “news”? There are millions of things going on in the world all the time and only some of them become news stories.
Journalism’s roles and responsibilities
Journalism demands a diverse skill set across various roles. Explore the different tasks and career paths available to modern journalists in our guide.
SIFT for fact-checking
Journalists who are committed to fact-checking, as we should all be, have several methods available to help them deal with fake news.
Accuracy in journalism
A piece of journalism should have many admirable qualities but one is more important than all the rest: accuracy. Rule Number One is: get it right. If you cannot appreciate and respect that rule, there is no point in going into journalism.
Offence and journalism
Journalists must ensure that the material they use in coverage has a clear editorial purpose. Where that material is likely to offend, there need to be clear warnings of what is coming up.
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.
Journalism and activism
Can a journalist also be an activist for a cause without compromising the core editorial values of journalism?
Handling story leaks and tip-offs
A critical factor for journalists when handling and disseminating leaked material is the need to take account of the motives of the leaker.
Creating a current affairs programme
In this article we look at the steps involved in creating a radio news and current affairs programme based on the needs of the target audience.
Investigating corruption
A journalist investigating corruption faces many risks and challenges. Investigative journalist Don Ray shares his experience.
AI and investigative journalism
The landscape of investigative journalism is undergoing a significant transformation, with artificial intelligence (AI) emerging as a powerful ally for reporters.
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 role of the news producer
The news producer has an essential role to play in any news organisation. Their job is to ensure that the material that is published is of the highest quality.
In-depth proactive journalism
Proactive journalism is an approach to newsgathering where reporters take the initiative in seeking out stories.
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.
A proven way to finance independent media
The Media Development Investment Fund (MDIF) offers a distinctive route to media sustainability, combining mission-driven financing with deep strategic support to strengthen independent journalism worldwide.
Creating a distinctive radio station sound
A radio station can only achieve impact if it has a unique and consistent sound and delivers content that the listeners can relate to.
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?
Informed consent – scenario
In this scenario a reporter covering a disaster finds a grief-stricken woman who he films in order to feature in his report before discovering the truth about the tragedy behind her emotions.
Doorstepping – scenario
You are a local newspaper reporter sent out to doorstep a bereaved family but you lie to your news editor because you are reluctant to intrude on their grief.
What it takes to be a media trainer
Media trainers must have recent, valid experience of all they teach. They will not earn the respect of course participants if they can't relate to the issues they face.
Tool: Training of Trainers (ToT)
Training of Trainers (ToT) courses are designed to equip individuals with the skills and knowledge needed to train others.
Evaluating the impact of training
The evaluation process at the end of a media training session begins the moment you are engaged by the media organisation you are being asked to help because this is when you know the expectations and deliverables.
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: Learning management systems
Learning Management Systems (LMS) are increasingly becoming the digital backbone of all media training, in particular Training of Trainers (ToT) courses.
Tool: News story checklist
The follow is a structured checklist tool for journalists to consider in order to ensure they produce strong news stories.
Try our introduction to journalism curriculum then take the MHM news test.
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