The Media Mentor

What happens when audiences increasingly get their news from people rather than news organisations? In this episode of The Media Mentor, I talk to Nic Newman, Senior Research Associate at the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism at the University of Oxford, about the rise of news creators and influencers and what their growing influence means for traditional journalism.What exactly is a “news creator”? Why do audiences increasingly trust individuals over established news brands? And if people say they don't trust social media or AI, why are they continuing to use both to consume news?Nic explores the changing relationship between audiences, journalists and news organisations, including:Why the US has become such a fertile market for news creators.Why individual creators can sometimes generate more trust than institutions.The growing fragmentation of news consumption.The opportunities and challenges created by niche and hyperlocal journalism.Why traditional publishers increasingly need to think of themselves as being in the “relationship business.”What this changing landscape means for the next generation of journalists.Nic also discusses the continuing importance of traditional journalism, arguing that audiences still want accurate, fair and trustworthy information — but increasingly want it delivered in formats and styles that fit the way they consume media.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career or struggling with job applications. Support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

What happens when graduation doesn't lead to the career you imagined? In this episode of The Media Mentor, I catch up with former mentoring client Emily D'Souza, who first came to me during the pandemic feeling completely lost after university. Like many graduates, she was struggling with rejection, uncertainty and wondering whether a career in media was ever going to happen.Fast forward a few years and Emily is now freelancing across BBC Radio 1, Radio 2, podcasts and production companies, building an exciting and varied career.Here we discuss:• coping with rejection after university• the reality of freelance life• networking without feeling awkward• why personal projects build confidence• saying yes to opportunities (without burning out)• why your reputation matters just as much as your CVEmily also explains how starting a simple book club unexpectedly opened doors, built confidence and helped create opportunities she never imagined.If you've ever questioned whether you're good enough, or wondered whether a media career is really possible, this episode is for you.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career like I did with Emily. Whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career or struggling with job applications, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

On this episode I talk to Rosa Simkin, winner of the MCC Young Female Broadcaster competition 2026. Now in its third year, the competition aims to increase opportunities for young women building a career in sports broadcasting, whilst uncovering and supporting the next generation of female broadcasting talent in cricket. Here Rosa talks about how she has already built an impressive portfolio of work and hasn't even turned 20. It's a lesson for us all about using today's opportunities to create a brand and make contacts. Rosa also talks about how sport media still needs to increase its diversity for on-air talent.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career if you have ambitions like Rosa, whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career. If you are struggling with job applications or which we to go next, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

On this episode I talk to Manni Rai, a Talent Acquisition Partner at Reach plc and Qualified Careers Adviser to give us the inside word on what recruiters are looking for from applicants. Manni's views are his own but give a brilliant insight into what candidates often do wrong when applying for jobs.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career, whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career. If you are struggling with job applications or which we to go next, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

For this episode I share some key learnings and tips from The Media Voices Publishers Summit and Awards. This is where the likes of Reach, Hearst, The Telegraph, Tortoise and Goalhanger talk about the latest trends around newsletters and podcasts. Here I share some of the highlights from the panels and masterclasses and other tips about connecting with an audience.The Media Mentor is here to help your media career, whether you are starting out, or if you are further on in your career. If you are struggling with job applications or which we to go next, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.

In the UK, only around 16 percent of journalists and broadcasting employees are from ethnic minority backgrounds, while across media only about one in 12 people are from lower socio-economic backgrounds. One scheme trying to change those statistics is The Travel Media Awards Step Up programme. Now in its third year, it offers five paid summer internships designed to bring fresh voices and diverse perspectives into travel media.Maria Pieri is the editorial director and COO at APL Media, which is part of the scheme and runs its own internship programme and Kira Richards is one of those to have benefited from the Step Up programme since it started.Maria and Kira join me to discuss diversity and the challenges of breaking into media if you think you don't fit.If you are struggling with job applications, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.If you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share about job hunting, then please get in touch.

When Clive Hammond came to me for help in 2021 he had hit an application brick wall. He was getting very few replies from applications and wanted to know how to get more positive repsonses. Within a few weeks of us working on his CV, Clive was attending a BBC recruitment event and getting added to its pool of talent. But then his life was about to change forever, when he suffered a serious health scare. Listen to find out how Clive responded to this moment and how it has changed the way he thinks about work.You can hear more in this excellent BBC documentary that Clive produced.If you are suffering from a radio silence from applications, like Clive was in 2021, then support and mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for alerts.If you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share about job hunting, then please get in touch.

Finding a job in media is tough enough in 2026, but finding an internship or placement can be even harder. On this episode I share advice and guidance on how to handle the search and how to maximise the experience. Joining me to discuss this and ask questions are two students hoping for a career in journalism; Eliska Janska and Renata Pernegrova.If you are looking to land your first job in media or advance your career, then follow The Media Mentor online and on socials. Each day I share jobs and advice about media careers and I also offer one-to-one sessions if you're feeling stuck or lost. If you're concerned about your CV or need help with cover letters and interviews - then mentoring sessions are available via the website.There are also 6 pages of media jobs to browse and a WhatsApp channel for job alerts.If you have any questions about media careers or a story that you would like to share about job hunting, then please get in touch.