News & Media

My colleague published something last week and the sourcing looks completely made up. Like, really obvious stuff. I'm debating whether to speak up or stay quiet. How do you guys handle this kind o… more

I spent longer choosing a font for subtitles than writing the actual script. Then someone asked, "Can you make it look less like text?" Have you ever wasted hours on a detail no one else not… more

I spent the weekend practising shorthand and my notes now look like alien code. The speed is amazing, but I still miss full words. Is shorthand still worth mastering when everyone just records intervi… more

My to-do list already feels like it is taller than me. The funny part? Half of it is chasing people who will probably never reply. How do you stay motivated when so much of your work depends on others… more

It is the start of the week and I already have five briefs that all say the same thing: "Make it engaging." Engaging for who? My mum? A teenager? A goldfish? What is the vaguest brief you ha… more

Sometimes I catch myself doing something at work and think, “this would never happen in another industry”. What’s the most “only in media” moment you’ve had on the job?

People often think media is glamorous, but those of us inside know there’s another side. What do you think the toughest part of the work that most people never realise is?

I was handed my first real investigative assignment yesterday, and I'm scared I'll mess it up. Probably because it's way different from my usual stuff, but there's no way I was going t… more

Half a year as a reporter, and I still feel like I'm faking it when I'm on camera. My voice sounds weird and forced to me. How long does it take to sound authentic and natural on air?

The projects matter, but the culture matters more. In your experience, what separates a good media company from a bad one?

A lot of us got into this industry because it felt exciting and meaningful. Has it lived up to that promise for you, or has the reality been different?

Been in this industry for 15 years, and I'm shocked at the number of typos and grammatical errors appearing in top-tier publications lately. Like "it's" instead of "its." A… more

I had a whole script ready for air - then breaking news dropped, and my work was cut down to three lines. Weeks of graft gone in seconds. Have you ever lost work to last-minute changes?

I had an editor completely rewrite my intro today. At first I felt crushed, but then I saw how much sharper it was. Do you take heavy edits personally, or treat them as a free masterclass?

Do people still have that feeling of excitement when working in this industry? Or does everything just become normal? I feel like recently I’m not phased by anything but I’m hoping something I’m actua… more

I'm staff at a small-town paper (37.5 hours/week, flexible schedule) and thinking about picking up freelance work on the side. My contract only bars competitor work, but I've got tons of story… more

I lost my job today after another round of cuts. Now I'm wondering whether to start chasing freelance work, find something more stable, or just give up on journalism altogether. Is there any hope … more

Have you ever had your copy replaced with something painfully obvious? I gave four headline options. The editor picked none - instead they suggested "breaking news" as if that was original. … more

I was writing a crime piece and had to stop because the details made me feel physically sick. No one really talks about how hard it is to process some of what we cover. How do you draw the line betwee… more

Is it normal for your articles to have lots of feedback during subbing? I have a new editor and there is so much feedback that it's become disheartening

At ITV, I once saw three different departments argue over whether the word "exclusive" should be bolded. By the end, no one cared about the story itself. What is the most ridiculous thing yo… more

I finally asked a "stupid" question in a meeting and someone else said, "I was wondering that too." Turns out I was not the only one confused.Why do we pretend we always understand… more

I wrote a strapline that got approved instantly. No edits. No meetings. Just a "Perfect, thanks." I still do not trust it. Has quick approval ever felt more suspicious than relief?

I chased down a statistic for hours today, only to find it was based on a press release from 2019. It is amazing how quickly misinformation seeps into “reliable" sources. How do you keep your res… more

A reporter in my newsroom used ChatGPT to draft breaking news alerts last week while I was in budget meetings. The copy was clean and the fast turnaround was great, but now I'm questioning if we c… more

Do you socialise with your team outside of work hours? Or would say you have a relationship beyond just sitting next to each other? I don't mean affair but would you call them a friend and speak to them about… more

It is Monday, and I already have three "urgent" emails waiting... none of which were urgent on Friday. Weekend silence, weekday chaos. Do you think people save fake emergencies just to drop … more

It is Monday, and I am staring at my notes from last week like they were written by a stranger. How does something make sense on Friday and then vanish from your brain by Monday morning? Anyone else n… more

Been producing for 12 years and now I'm managing millennials and Gen Zs who edit on phones and think linear TV is ancient. Love their energy but they need serious hand-holding on basics. At the sa… more

It’s a Sunday evening and I’ve just received some slightly negative feedback for something I was quite excited about. I find working in media means constant feedback, although sometimes constructive, … more

How do you guys feel about your relationship within your team against the rest of the company? Do you think as a department you’re treated equally to others or some are favoured more?

In digital media it feels like there’s always a new platform or format just around the corner. I keep wondering what’s going to shape the next few years? Whether it’s new ways of streaming, immersive … more

Three years into this beat and I'm drowning in social expectations. My news director wants constant posts, but every hour on Instagram feels like an hour stolen from real stories. Have any of you … more

At ITV, the deadline is always "yesterday." You learn fast that perfect copy is a luxury and speed is everything. Sometimes I hit send with my heart racing. Do you aim for perfect or just go… more

So much of digital media success comes down to numbers: views, clicks, engagement. But for me the projects I’ve been most proud of aren’t always the biggest “performers.” How do you balance chasing me… more

My copy was read out loud in the office and I nearly melted into the floor. Somehow writing for millions feels easier than hearing it in front of five colleagues. Do you hate hearing your own words re… more

Do you ever feel like the smallest mistake could ruin your career? I caught myself almost tweeting a line from a story that was not cleared yet. One slip and it could have been a breach.

What is the most watered-down version of your writing that ever got published? I once had three producers, two editors, and a legal team argue over whether I could use the word "chaos." In t… more

Is it possible older journalists confuse changing habits with lack of interest? I was told my generation "does not watch the news properly" because we prefer clips and TikTok explainers. But… more

Had a trial shift yesterday for a national paper. It's a terrifying feeling to feel like you have to be perfect on the first day. I have had issues with these work a trial shift interviews becaus… more