Basic journalism
Our basics section provides foundational knowledge for journalists starting their careers and for those wanting to refresh their skills. Learn techniques including news writing, interviewing, story structure, and reporting practices that form the bedrock of quality journalism. All our material is free to download, adapt and use. Scroll down our site map for all the content in this and other sections.
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.
Letting the pictures tell the story
Here we explore the importance of visual storytelling in TV and video journalism, showing you how to let the pictures tell the story.
Interviewing remotely
Here we explore the key issues journalists face when interviewing sources via electronic media instead of face-to-face and in real time.
Grammar for journalists
Journalists need to observe important grammatical rules when writing news stories and avoid common mistakes that could confuse the audience.
Gender equality in the media
Addressing gender imbalance in media requires a multifaceted approach from journalists, combining personal initiative with essential systemic change.
Parliamentary reporting for beginners
To cover Parliament, a journalist must master local laws, procedure, and political parties, backed by a solid grasp of history.
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.
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.
Developing important news angles
Seeking out new angles on a breaking, developing or running news story is an important part of the editorial process.
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.
Crime reporting for beginners
Crime journalists must balance the public’s right to know with ethics, ensuring accuracy and sensitivity while avoiding sensationalism or prejudice.
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.
Spotting a news story
How does a journalist know when they are on the right track? What are the telltale signs that distinguish fact from fiction?
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.
The power of quotes in journalism
Quotes can define an era, a person, or a story. Used thoughtfully, they transform reporting from factual to memorable, from clear to compelling.
Interviewing for video journalists
Tips about the steps a video journalist can take to enhance the quality of filmed interviews.
Reporting from conflict zones
When reporting from a conflict zone a journalist needs to be sensitive, understand history and cultural issues, and put people first
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.
Translation in journalism
If you are a journalist working in a multilingual society, you may have to work in more than one language.
Tool: MHM Story Builder
The Media Helping Media’s Story Builder is a simple tool created to help those who are new to journalism write informative news articles.
The roles of reporters and sub-editors
Streamlined newspaper workflows with minimal editing benefit reporters and sub-editors, ultimately enhancing publication quality.
Interviewing ‘off the record’
Journalists’ sources sometimes agree to talk only off the record. Here we examine what that means and how to handle it when sources place...
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.





















