Grow your journalism skills with self-guided tips and tutorials
These training resources were co-created with professional correspondents, young people and media partners around the world.
What is our PRDR method?
Pitch-Report-Draft-Revise is News Decoder’s signature content creation process that helps you create original content for a global audience — our audience.
Form and idea and structure it.
Come up with a 50-100 word summary.
What question does your piece address?
Get out there and speak to experts.
Interview people, visit organisations, do real-life research.
Turn your idea into a story.
Think about the structure, your audience and your output – article, podcast, photography, video.
Work 1-to-1 with an editor.
Address gaps, increase clarity and fine tune your work with the help of a professional!
More resources:
PRDR Publishing Tips: Learn more about News Decoder’s signature content creation process, “Pitch, Report, Draft, Revise” (download pdf)
Top Tips
News Decoder publishes content by experienced journalists, as well as student writers and reporters. Do you have a story idea but don’t know where to start? Follow our weekly tips for guidance on creating a great story — in any medium.
Can you tell compelling stories about important things?
So much is happening that people should know about. But why do so many news stories put us to sleep instead of wake us up? What is the journalist trying to do?
Why have someone edit your story?
No matter how careful and talented a writer you are, you want an editor to give your story a careful reading. Here’s what a difference an editor can make.
How to use quotes in a story
A book without dialogue is a slog to read. So is a news story. But once you get quotes from an interview what do you do with them? Here’s a quick guide.
For a great story, get out and report
Sure, you can Zoom someone in on your laptop or chat over WhatsApp. But when you go out to an event or interview you come back with so much more.
Do you live in a healthy media ecosystem?
Media is food for our brain. The media you consume might be nutritious. Or maybe it’s addictive, toxic and full of empty calories. Who even makes it?
Video Tutorials
Hear from media professionals about all aspects of content creation and information literacy, from finding sources, interviewing and fact-checking to producing trustworthy podcasts, video journalism and opinion articles. Created as a part of the Mobile Stories project (ProMS), co-funded by the European Union.
Climate Journalism Shorts
Climate Journalism Shorts is a video series sharing guidance and tips from professional journalists on how to develop compelling climate-focused media. Hosted by News Decoder’s Stefani Aleksandrova and produced as part of The Writing’s on the Wall climate education project.
What Makes a Good Climate Change Story?
Interviewing for a Climate Change Story
Making a Climate Change Podcast
Podcast Bootcamp
Learn the essential steps to make your own podcast alongside international students in this podcast bootcamp led by journalists from Podium.me and News Decoder’s Nicole DiSante.
Lesson 1: Why Make a Podcast?
Click and expand the boxes below to continue watching the podcast series.
Lesson 2: How to Conduct a Great Interview
Lesson 3: How to Record a Podcast – Technical Skills
Lesson 4. Learn Storytelling Techniques
Lesson 5: Writing a Script
Lesson 6: Consent and Deep Listening
Lesson 7: Why Do You Make Podcasts? An Interview
Be Heard
Now that you’ve gathered inspiration, we want to hear your stories!
Youth under 25 years old from any country are invited to submit an original story to News Decoder. Submissions can be in any form (reported articles, personal reflections, interviews, creative writing) and in any format (written stories, podcasts, photo essays, video — or a multimedia combination).
Please note that submitting a story does not guarantee you’ll be published. News Decoder maintains the highest editorial standards. Be sure your story is balanced, authoritative, compelling and relevant for a global audience.
Get started by completing the pitch form below.
News Decoder Pitch Form
These open-access activities are made possible by the generous support of News Decoder donors around the world. To help sustain and expand these free educational resources, please consider making a donation today. Thank you!