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. Scroll down our site map for all the content in this and other sections.

Graphic for pitching a news story created with Gemini AI

Pitching a news story to an editor

Image by David Brewer released via Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 4.0

Unlock your journalistic potential

Image by Symic released under Creative Commons CC BY-SA 2.0

Preparing for an interview

Essential elements of a news story

Pyramid journalism and the essential elements for writing a news story.

Image of a journalist researching created using Imagen 3 - created by David Brewer of MHM

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.

Language and style – basics

Learn how to write clear, impactful sentences for better understanding and discover why choosing the right language is essential for your readers.

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.

Using the right words

Words are the essential tools of journalism. They convey meaning and help the audience understand the issues we are covering. So they need to be used properly.

Image to illustrate covering and event - created using Imagen 3 by David Brewer of MHM

How to cover an event

This guide offers comprehensive advice for anyone looking to cover an event, from meticulous preparation and strategic on-site actions to ethical interview techniques and capturing compelling visuals.

Preparing for an interview

A journalist needs to be well-prepared when planning an interview. However, after all your research, try to keep the interview to three questions in order to avoid over-complication and confusion.

Naomi Goldsmith delivering gender training to female journalists in Tanzania

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.