The Telegraph’s Media Literacy Programme Returns for a Fourth Year

Returning for its fourth year, The Telegraph’s Media Literacy Programme saw more than 650 sixth form students from across the UK take part in March 2024. The scheme’s aim is to break down the barriers to careers in journalism and provide school pupils with the tools and skills to think critically about the media landscape.

Caroline Leaper, Senior Fashion Editor at The Telegraph, hosted the month-long programme and was joined by journalists from across the newsroom who covered topics including: Visual Journalism, Podcasts, Foreign reporting,Travel, the News Desk, Sport, Social Media, Fashion, Music and Design. 

The interactive virtual sessions included: Writing Your Own News Story; Inside the World of Podcasts; How to be a Sports Writer; Meet the Fashion Desk; Making the Telegraph Beautiful; Life as a Politics Reporter and Life as a Foreign Correspondent. Each week, the attendees were set a ‘journalism challenge’ by one of the speakers in order to help develop their writing skills. 

A key focus of the programme was to share insights, advice and inspiration about careers in the media. Participants had the opportunity to learn about The Telegraph future talent schemes which include work experience, apprenticeships and graduate programmes. Everyone who completed the programme was invited to join the Media Literacy Programme Alumni Talent Pool where entry-level opportunities are shared. 

Ian MacGregor, Telegraph Editor Emeritus, said: “It was fantastic to see the Telegraph's MLP back for the fourth year in a row - with hundreds more sixth-formers from around the UK taking part. The students were so enthusiastic and hopefully found it a great opportunity to find out how news organisations work, as well as discover the many different career opportunities available. 

''In an era of widespread disinformation and unedited news online, it is so important to show young people how they can trust quality, edited journalism - and, indeed, contribute to it.

''The month-long series of live sessions is all down to our award-winning staff and we are looking forward to next year's programme already!''

Feedback from participants:

“It was really fun and engaging, great speakers and some really inspiring ideas to walk away with, can't wait to hit the ground running! Thanks for the opportunity.”

“The journalism challenges...really helped improve my writing and I gained a better understanding of what journalists do.”

“The range of speakers provided - I think being able to listen to a variety of people broadened my interest in journalism overall as well as opening my eyes to the variety of areas I could look into.”

Areas with participating school students included: Belfast, Edinburgh, Derbyshire, Glasgow, London, Newcastle, Norfolk, Poole, Reading, Skipton, Stockport, Solihull and Vale of Glamorgan.