Basic journalism
Creating a structured news report
Writing a news item without a plan is like building a kit without instructions. You need a structured story plan to order your facts logically and engage readers.
The power of words
Journalists need to understand the power of using the right words when writing news stories
Developing and handling news sources
News sources are vital for journalists to find essential stories. Without reliable information, reporters would be left staring at a blank page.
The active and passive voices in news
Make your news writing more interesting by using the “active voice”. Bob Eggington explains this simple and effective technique.
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.
Clarity is as important as accuracy
Journalists must write clearly as well as accurately using accessible language that the audience can understand.
Parliamentary reporting for beginners
To cover Parliament, a journalist must master local laws, procedure, and political parties, backed by a solid grasp of history.
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.
Facts, context, and perspectives
The primary role of a journalist in covering a news story is to uncover verifiable facts, provide context and present the information to the audience.
The power of words
Journalists need to understand the power of using the right words when writing news stories
Grammar for journalists
Journalists need to observe important grammatical rules when writing news stories and avoid common mistakes that could confuse the audience.
Journalism and the public interest
All news stories should, by definition, be interesting. They should immediately capture the attention and make the audience want to know more.
Pitching a news story to an editor
Whether you're a journalist or reporter, learn how to pitch stories effectively to ensure they are accepted by your editor every time.
Creating TV and radio packages
Discover how to create concise, compelling TV and radio packages that capture audience attention and deliver key information effectively.
Producing a radio news bulletin
Crafting a radio bulletin is like serving a balanced meal: it must be nourishing, digestible, and leave your audience perfectly prepared for the day ahead.
Court reporting for beginners
Reporting on court hearings requires an understanding of local laws and knowing what can be reported and what can‘t.
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.
Shoe-leather reporting
Digital noise is everywhere, but shoe-leather reporting - getting out and talking to people - remains a foundational skill for the modern journalist.
Militaristic words used in journalism
Here we look at some of the most common militaristic words that are regularly used in journalism, along with their intended meaning and possible non-militaristic alternatives.
Lateral reading
When it comes to fact-checking and adding context to news articles, journalists need to apply ‘lateral reading’ in order to broaden their knowledge.
Assessing news value
The job of the journalist is to sort through daily events and package them into stories in order to inform the public.
Including the human angle in news
For news organisations to succeed, they must attract and retain audiences. The human touch is vital for building trust and engagement.
The questions every journalist should ask
There are six questions that journalists should consider asking. They are What? Why? When? How? Where? and Who?