Advanced journalism

Our advanced section explores specialised topics for experienced journalists seeking to deepen their expertise. Develop your skills in data journalism, multimedia storytelling, investigative techniques, and complex narrative structures that elevate reporting to the next level. All our material is free to download, adapt and use. Scroll down our site map for all the content in this and other sections.

Image of a media lawyer - created using Imagen 3 by David Brewer of MHM

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.

An image of a news meeting created using Microsoft's AI Image Designer

Hey AI, what are the top stories of the day?

Have you ever chaired a news meeting surrounded by blank faces with no story ideas? Well, with AI that experience could be a thing of the past.

Image of journalist taking notes by Marco Urban released via Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 2.0

Self-censorship in journalism

To combat self-censorship - a major hurdle for robust impartial journalism - journalists must first recognise why it happens and understand its root causes.

Journalists Bakhita Aluel (seated) and Vivian Nandege at Radio Easter in Yei in South Sudan - image by Jaldeep Katwala

Making documentaries for radio

Documentaries are in-depth stories told in a more interesting way. A great documentary engages listeners and puts them at the heart of the storytelling.

Image of a confidential document changing hands - created using Imagen 3 by David Brewer of MHM

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.

Image of a journalist in a refugee camp - created by Microsoft's AI Image Designer

Using AI for story development

How artificial intelligence (AI) can help a journalist brainstorm a story in order to discover multiple news angles

Propaganda graphic produced by Google Gemini AI

Journalism and propaganda

Journalists must recognise propaganda to avoid spin and deliver factual news. Ensuring the public is properly informed is essential for credible journalism.

Slide by David Brewer released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0.

Handling breaking news

Journalists need to have a system in place for covering a breaking news story in order to know who does what and when.

Fact-checking training Kenya. Image by Media Helping Media released via Creative Commons

Creating a fact-checking system

It’s the job of the journalist to try to find and present the truth, but fact-checking isn't easy. It requires a methodological approach to verification.

Presenting news content online

A journalist managing a news website is constantly involved in updating, refreshing and repositioning content in time with the evolving news flow.

Image by David Brewer released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Running an effective news meeting

Here we offer 50 suggestions for helping editors run stimulating news meetings that guarantee a steady stream of original stories.

Image by Scale Free Metwork released via Creative Commons CC BY-NC-SA 2.0

Spotting errors in your own writing

Most journalists need a second pair of eyes to check through their copy in order to spot any factual, grammatical or spelling mistakes.

Graphic by @urbanmuralhunter, image by Terence Faircloth, released via Creative Commons

Disinformation and misinformation

Journalists attempting to deal with 'fake news' need to understand the difference between disinformation and misinformation.

Image of a storm in a teacup - created using Imagen 3 by David Brewer of MHM

The use of idioms in journalism

Journalists producing serious news coverage must always write in a way that is clear, accurate, free from jargon.

Image courtesy of Randy Colas on Unsplash

Forms of information disorder

With the spread of fake news, journalists need to recognise and understand the different categories, types, elements, and phases of information disorder.

Image by Theilr released via Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.0

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.

Image of a journalist analysing data created with Gemini Imagen 3 AI by Media Helping Media

What is data journalism?

Data journalism, also known as data-driven journalism, is the process of finding, understanding, and processing information in order to produce news stories.

The importance of keeping records

Journalists who want to inform the audience need to keep records so that they can add context to breaking news stories without having to rely on others for background information

Setting online news priorities

Modern news sites act as converged content factories, delivering information across all user devices through a streamlined, multi-platform digital newsroom.

Image of a news conference courtesy of Mariusz Kaminski

Brand values in news

All news organisations have values. They are the biggest part of the organisation’s brand. Journalists need to uphold these brand values at all times.

Image by Bram Cymet released via Creative Commons CC BY-NC 2.0

Tips for motivating journalists

Daily news meetings should be inclusive and agenda-setting. Editors must foster a culture of original ideas and risk-taking to keep staff motivated and alert.

Fake news and trust chains

"Fake news" encompasses two distinct concepts: fabricated stories masquerading as truth and the dismissal of legitimate news as false.

Managing a news website’s front page

The journalist in charge of a news website is like a shopkeeper who sets out their stall. If the items are badly displayed the customer might miss them, if they are not fresh people won't buy them.