Industry leaders explore the future of inclusion in journalism at NCTJ conference

Journalists, students, trainers and media representatives from across the UK gathered at Bloomberg in London for the NCTJ inclusion in journalism conference, which celebrated 20 years of the Journalism Diversity Fund and explored the challenges facing journalists today.

Since its launch in 2005, the JDF has supported over 600 aspiring journalists from underrepresented backgrounds to overcome financial barriers to entering the profession. With continued support from partners, the NCTJ aims to award its 700th bursary in 2026.

The NCTJ also published its 2025 Diversity in Journalism Report at the conference, which shows meaningful progress but reveals continuing challenges across the industry and the work still needed to make journalism representative of the communities it serves.

Joanne Forbes, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “When we set up the Journalism Diversity Fund in 2005, it began with a simple belief: that talent is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t, and that journalism would be stronger, fairer and more trusted if our newsrooms reflected the public. Twenty years is something to be proud of. Let’s use the next twenty years to be even bolder, even braver, and even more open to talent, wherever we can find it.”

The conference explored the challenges facing journalists today and why inclusion still matters.

Laura Michael, senior editor North Essex at Newsquest, chaired the opening panel on protecting journalists in the digital age. Panellists discussed the rise in online abuse against journalists and highlighted the importance of self-care and proper manager training in safeguarding newsrooms.

A special anniversary alumni panel featured JDF recipients reflecting on the fund’s impact on their pathways into journalism. They gave advice for future recipients and employers on how to ensure newsrooms embrace and retain talent from diverse communities, urging journalists to embrace their difference as their greatest skill in telling the stories people trust them to tell.

Jess Glass, law editor at PA Media and former JDF recipient, said: “When I am talking to people from certain sections of society I can tell them ‘I get you. I’m going to do this sensitively.’ That perspective has proven invaluable in building bonds and telling their stories authentically.”

The conference also included the presentation of the NCTJ’s specialist bursaries and a panel discussion with industry representatives on why inclusion remains essential for journalism to tell authentic, creative stories that attract audiences.

Mishal Husain, editor-at-large for Bloomberg Weekend, spoke to former JDF recipient Lizzy Burden, anchor and UK correspondent for Bloomberg TV, about her career in a fireside chat. Mishal offered her advice to JDF recipients urging them to “keep a running tally of you achievements, if your work is good I firmly believe it will stand the test of time and you will stand the test of time. Telling people stories is a worthy career path to be on”.

The event concluded with closing remarks from Matthew A. Winkler, cofounder and editor-in-chief emeritus of Bloomberg News.

Organisations interested in supporting the Journalism Diversity Fund can contact Erin Johnson, fundraising manager, at [email protected].

For more information about the Journalism Diversity Fund, click here.