Basic journalism
Developing news sense
How do we know what is “news”? There are millions of things going on in the world all the time and only some of them become news stories.
Court reporting for beginners
Reporting on court hearings requires an understanding of local laws and knowing what can be reported and what can‘t.
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
Editorialising is not for news
The free training materials on Media Helping Media are all aimed at encouraging one particular kind of journalism: accurate, fact-based, impartial news reporting.
Covering a news event
Check our news event coverage guide with tips on preparation, on-site reporting, ethical interviews, and capturing compelling photos and video.
Parliamentary reporting for beginners
To cover Parliament, a journalist must master local laws, procedure, and political parties, backed by a solid grasp of history.
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...
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.
Attribution and plagiarism
Producing a piece of original journalism involves uncovering facts that, had it not been for you, would have remained hidden.
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.
Developing news sense
How do we know what is “news”? There are millions of things going on in the world all the time and only some of them become 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.
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?
Creating TV and radio packages
Discover how to create concise, compelling TV and radio packages that capture audience attention and deliver key information effectively.
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.
The evolution of an original news story
Original journalism starts with a question. Our investigations transform enquiries into vital news stories with far-reaching consequences.
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.
Court reporting for beginners
Reporting on court hearings requires an understanding of local laws and knowing what can be reported and what can‘t.
Unlock your journalistic potential
The following is a collection of tips for journalists starting off in the job. It's been compiled from advice shared by senior journalists around the world.
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.
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 questions every journalist should ask
There are six questions that journalists should consider asking. They are What? Why? When? How? Where? and Who?