Media Literacy Project

The importance of context: Why responsible newsrooms don’t always publish every detail

In a fast-paced news cycle, it’s easy to assume that the more information a story contains, the better. But responsible journalism isn’t about publishing everything...

Why journalists ask tough questions and why democracy depends on it

Journalism isn’t about going easy on those in charge - it’s about asking what matters. In a functioning democracy, power must be scrutinised. Journalists are one of the few professions...

Think Britain has a free press? Think again

From illegal surveillance to economic pressure, media monopolies to SLAPP lawsuits, the UK might not be quite the bastion of press freedom it claims to be. According to the 2025 World Press...

Why news is more than a headline: the importance of reading beyond the first line

In the age of push notifications, trending topics and scrolling social feeds, a headline is often the only part of a news story people see. But headlines are just that – headlines...

Opinion isn’t fact: How responsible journalism separates fact-based news from opinion-based columns

In an age of endless headlines, hot takes, and social media shares, it can be easy to blur the line between news and opinion. But that line matters for a healthy democracy and responsible...

From Kyiv to Bedford: Why local journalism matters

To mark World Press Freedom Day (3 May 2025), we are honoured to join other independent publications worldwide in publishing this piece from Olga Rudenko, of the Kyiv Independent...

First on the scene: What breaking news is (and isn’t) meant to do

When a big story breaks, people want answers fast. But in the earliest moments of any major event, verified facts are often in short supply. While breaking news updates are...

Bedford Ian writes…

18 April 2025: Stop song, Mug shot, Universal slice, Private pinching and Headline ignorance. Bedford Ian has been looking at recent goings on across Bedford Borough and has...

From tip to headline: How the public helps local journalism thrive

Local journalism is a conversation, not a broadcast. While journalists investigate, write, and publish, readers often play a vital role in helping stories come to life. Whether it’s sending in a tip, sharing...

Clickbait vs credibility: Why responsible news starts with the headline

In the era of print newspapers, headlines were designed to stand out on newsstands. They had to grab attention, fit in a limited space, and sell papers. Tabloid papers such as...

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