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Media Helping Media is hosted by the Fojo Media Institute at Linnaeus University.
Journalism Basics
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.
Gender equality in the media
Addressing gender imbalance in media requires a multifaceted approach from journalists, combining personal initiative with essential systemic change.
Interviewing ‘off the record’
Sources sometimes agree to talk to journalists ‘off the record’. Here we examine what that means and how to handle such a request.
Talking to...
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.
Pitching a news story to an editor
Every great piece of journalism starts with a pitch — and how you pitch can make the difference between being published or being rejected.
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 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.
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.
Producing a radio news bulletin
Crafting a radio bulletin is like serving a balanced meal: It must be nourishing and digestible, and leave your audience perfectly prepared for the day ahead.
Tool: News story checklist
The follow is a structured checklist tool for journalists to consider in order to ensure they produce strong news stories.
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.
How journalists assess news value
Learn what makes a story newsworthy. This guide explains the five criteria journalists use to assess news value, with clear examples.
Interviewing for video journalists
Tips about the steps a video journalist can take to enhance the quality of filmed interviews.
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The content on Media Helping Media (MHM) is released via Creative Commons BY NC SA 4.0.