How Two News Outlets Are Pioneering Efforts to Diversify Newsrooms
The latest Diversity in Journalism report from the National Council for the Training of Journalists (NCTJ) revealed that the U.K. news industry remains predominantly dominated by university-educated journalists, with 91 percent of U.K. journalists holding a university degree or higher qualification. In light of this, news organizations face the challenge of enhancing newsroom representation and better engaging with diverse audiences—while journalism requires a degree of training, most underrepresented communities have a lower chance of being able to afford a university education. In response, the Financial Times and Tortoise have taken innovative steps to diversify their newsrooms and cultivate alternative talent pipelines.
The Financial Times has collaborated with the Manchester Evening News to launch an 18-month apprenticeship program. This initiative aims to attract individuals who do not possess a university degree, offering them an opportunity to gain practical experience and work towards a fully funded NCTJ level 5 qualification. The apprentices will split their time between the Financial Times and the Manchester Evening News, allowing them to develop skills in both local news reporting and financial journalism. To ensure a supportive and inclusive environment, the Financial Times provides free accommodation, a pro-rata salary of £21,749, 30 days of annual leave, and access to FT Employee Networks. These networks provide both resources to individual journalists (for example, mental health) and resources for up and coming apprentices to network with working journalists.
Veronica Kan-Dapaah, the Financial Times’ Assistant Editor and Head of Newsroom Diversity, emphasized the importance of physically exposing young people to newsrooms and journalists. "We want to build the confidence of young people from a whole range of backgrounds so that they can easily imagine themselves having a career in a newsroom, long before they are applying to university or for technical training," Kan-Dapaah says.
Meanwhile, Tortoise Media, a slow news startup, has begun the Tortoise Journalism School to provide 15 aspiring journalists per week with an immersive week-long crash course in journalism. The program teaches participants how to pitch, write, and deliver professional news stories in Tortoise's signature style.
Led by editor and co-founder James Harding, the school's curriculum covers various aspects of journalism. Participants learn about news selection, pitch development, and receive guidance on specialized reporting and controversial topics. They also engage in an interview technique masterclasses and receive media law advice and analysis. The only requirement for applicants is a minimum 18 years of age.
While the school does not provide a day rate, it covers expenses such as meals, travel, and accommodation in London. This approach recognizes the financial barriers that may prevent individuals from pursuing journalism and aims to provide access to the newsroom and essential support.
"We're a small newsroom, we don’t have large pots of money. One of the big blockers in journalism is access. We’re providing access to our newsroom and all the sustenance [and maintenance]," says Andrew Butler, head of social and PR for Tortoise Media.
Both initiatives seek to cultivate a diverse and inclusive newsroom environment. The Financial Times' apprenticeship program opens doors to aspiring journalists who may not have pursued a university education, allowing them to gain practical skills and contribute to both local and financial journalism. The success of the program will be measured by the number of apprentices who transition into staff positions, ensuring long-term diversity within the organization.
"In an ideal world, we want to see people who have stories to tell, who have lived experiences in a world where opportunities may not have come their way, who think the media or journalism doesn't speak for themselves, and who think the media is a closed shop and only cares about London or Westminster," Butler said about the program, which he noted is in its infancy and will likely grow and change with time.
The Financial Times and Tortoise Media are leading the way in diversifying newsrooms by implementing innovative approaches to talent recruitment and training. Their efforts to provide access to aspiring journalists from diverse backgrounds are critical in challenging the dominance of university-educated journalists in the industry. Journalism and journalists must be hand-picked to represent their communities; otherwise, we run the risk of journalism becoming completely out of touch with whom it’s meant to serve: the people.
