Hosted by the Fojo Media Institute
Media Helping Media is hosted by the Fojo Media Institute at Linnaeus University.
Becoming a journalist
In this section we look at what it takes to be a journalist, and the qualities needed to succeed in a highly pressured environment. We look at how you can unlock your journalistic potential, prepare for a job interview, and focus on developing the skills and awareness editors look for when hiring new staff.
The qualities of a journalist
Journalism is a demanding profession that requires a unique combination of intellectual curiosity, linguistic skill, and a deep understanding of the world.
What is takes to be a journalist
Journalists should be accurate, first with news, trusted, easy to understand, straight, aware, disciplined and realistic.
Unlock your journalistic potential
The following is a collection of tips for journalists starting off in the job. It's been compiled from advice shared by senior journalists around the world.
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.
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.
The roles of reporters and sub-editors
Streamlined newspaper workflows with minimal editing benefit reporters and sub-editors, ultimately enhancing publication quality.
Related learning resources
Quick Guide: Citizen journalism
Learn to turn simple observations into professional news stories. This guide covers adding depth and context to your reporting.
Quick Guide: Assessing news value
As a journalist, your primary job is to find information that is interesting, relevant, and important to your audience. Not every event is news.
Quick Guide: Avoid editorialising in news
Journalism should be fact-based and impartial. Understand why news reporters must leave their opinions at home to guard against conscious and unconscious bias.
Quick Guide: Developing news sense
Good journalists develop a news sense which enables them to spot a story and understand its significance.
Quick Guide: Developing news angles
This guide is for journalists who want to look past the surface of a story in order to explore important news angles.
Quick Guide: Gender equality in journalism
Journalists should report the world as it is. Women make up half the population but are often ignored. Learn how to improve accuracy through gender equality.
Follow Media Helping Media on Facebook
Check our Facebook page for regular updates from Media Helping Media.
Content released under Creative Commons
The content on Media Helping Media (MHM) is released via Creative Commons BY NC SA 4.0.