NCTJ welcomes media green paper and calls for investment in the journalists behind trusted news
The NCTJ has welcomed the publication of the government’s green paper, Watch This Space: A New Strategic Direction for UK Media, and its recognition of the importance of trusted news.
However, the charity is urging ministers to place greater emphasis on the journalists who produce that trusted news and the training and development needed to support the profession.
The paper sets out an ambition for a media landscape that continues to deliver high-quality, trusted content as audience habits evolve, including proposals for platforms to give greater prominence to trusted news sources.
Ian Murray, Minister for Creative Industries, Media and Arts, said: “Trustworthy news, subject to rigorous editorial standards, provides the shared understanding and facts needed for people to trust one another.” He also highlighted the role trusted media plays in helping audiences navigate misinformation, access reliable information and support informed, connected communities.
The NCTJ believes this recognition should be matched by greater attention to the journalists whose skills, knowledge and judgement underpin trusted news.
Research shows that 83% of qualified journalists in the UK hold an NCTJ qualification, highlighting the important role industry-recognised training plays in equipping journalists with the skills, knowledge and ethical grounding needed to report accurately and in the public interest.
As the government develops its plans through the green paper, the NCTJ is calling for action in three key areas to strengthen the future of trusted journalism.
1. Recognise journalism as a strategic skills priority
Journalism plays a vital role in informing the public, supporting democratic debate and helping communities understand the world around them. The NCTJ is calling for journalism to be recognised as a strategically important subject within the UK’s skills and education system, including restoring access to Strategic Priorities Grant funding for journalism education.
2. Support pathways into journalism
The government should support the diverse routes through which journalists enter the media industry, including accredited courses, apprenticeships and local journalism initiatives like the Community News Project. The future strength of journalism depends on attracting talented people into the profession and giving them the skills and support they need to produce trusted news.
3. Invest in the skills needed for the future of journalism
As artificial intelligence and other technologies becomes part of everyday newsroom practice, journalists need new skills alongside the core reporting, legal and ethical knowledge that underpins trusted journalism. The NCTJ is calling for greater investment in journalism training and professional development to ensure the workforce can adapt to technological change while maintaining public trust.
Joanne Forbes, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “Trusted journalism starts with skilled, well-trained journalists.
“The green paper rightly recognises the importance of trusted news, but trusted news does not happen by accident. It depends on journalists with the skills, knowledge and judgement to report accurately, challenge misinformation and serve the public interest.
“If the government is serious about securing the future of high-quality news, it must invest in the pathways that develop the next generation of journalists.
“That means recognising journalism as a strategic skills priority, supporting routes into the profession and backing training that keeps pace with the changing needs of the industry.”
