Basic journalism
Clichés, journalese, and jargon
Journalists need to recognise and then avoid using journalese, jargon, and clichés. Their writing must be clear, easy to understand, and informative.
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.
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.
Clarity is as important as accuracy
Journalists must write clearly as well as accurately using accessible language that the audience can understand.
Gender equality in the media
The role of the journalist in rectifying gender imbalance in media is multifaceted, and it involves both individual actions and contributing to broader systemic change.
The questions every journalist should ask
There are six questions that journalists should consider asking. They are What? Why? When? How? Where? and Who?
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.
Creating a structured news report
Writing news without a plan is like building a kit without instructions. Use a structured story plan to order facts logically and engage your readers.
Clichés, journalese, and jargon
Journalists need to recognise and then avoid using journalese, jargon, and clichés. Their writing must be clear, easy to understand, and informative.
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.
Writing a radio news script
Radio journalists must write clear scripts that weave together compelling audio clips, ensuring listeners understand a news story's significance.
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.
Adjectives and adverbs in journalism
When it comes to writing - not just news writing but any kind of writing - adjectives and adverbs have a bad reputation.
Court reporting for beginners
Reporting on court hearings requires an understanding of local laws and knowing what can be reported and what can‘t.
Tool: News story checklist
The follow is a structured checklist tool for journalists to consider in order to ensure they produce strong news stories.
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.
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.
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.
Introduction to interviewing
The interview is one of the basic tools of journalism. You cannot be a good journalist without being a good interviewer and a careful listener.
Attribution and plagiarism
Producing a piece of original journalism involves uncovering facts that, had it not been for you, would have remained hidden.
Where does news come from?
The job of the journalist is to uncover the stories that shape our understanding of the world. Here we look at what makes news.
In journalism, good writing is plain writing
The purpose of news writing is to convey meaning clearly and effortlessly by using precise, comprehensible, and easily digestible words.